April 20, 2026 – Amy Soper
When students at Bath Elementary School in Clinton County head out for recess, many aren’t just playing. They’re logging miles, setting personal goals and building a lifelong relationship with physical activity through Mileage Club.
The program, supported locally by MSU Health Care Sports Medicine and Fitness Finders, has become a deeply rooted tradition at Bath Elementary. According to Jon Vanderberg, an elementary physical education teacher at Bath Schools, the program has grown stronger over time.
“My first year teaching here, it was already a huge tradition,” Vanderberg said. “There was so much excitement around it, and kids were genuinely invested. When the program went through changes a few years ago, keeping it going mattered to our school community.”
After a period of uncertainty following the COVID‑19 pandemic, the program gained new momentum in 2023 with support from MSU Health Care and Fitness Finders. MSU Health Care Sports Medicine provides funding for the program, while Fitness Finders provides the structure, tracking tools, and incentives. Vanderberg said that support helped ensure the program continued and made it easier to manage.
Making movement fun
Mileage Club encourages students to walk or run laps during lunch recess, track their distance over time and earn milestone rewards. Prizes help spark early interest. Students earn “toe token” charms for achieving mileage milestones and, at Bath, the students with the top miles can earn a visit to a trampoline park.
“Kids get excited about the prizes,” Vanderberg said. “But after a while, they don’t even care about that as much. It becomes routine. They’re jogging at recess because it feels good, not because they’re being told to.”
Vanderberg has seen students of all ability levels participate, including those who walk consistently rather than run.
“One student comes to mind who doesn’t run fast at all. He walks every day,” Vanderberg said. “But he shows up, puts in the effort and keeps moving forward. That matters.”
Bath Elementary students collectively log between 5,000 and 6,000 miles each season. The school’s all‑time record stands at 6,030 miles — a number Vanderberg proudly reminds students they might one day break.
“We always tell them that even if they don’t hit 5,000 miles, 4,000 is still amazing,” he said. “It’s about effort and showing up.”
This spring, students from more than 70 schools in Michigan will participate in the program, said Scott Sundberg, from Fitness Finders.
“Mileage Club works because it’s simple, inclusive and sustainable,” Sundberg said. “Working with MSU Health Care Sports Medicine has helped us grow the program and make it easier for schools to deliver a meaningful experience for students year after year.”
Benefits beyond the track
Teachers and school staff have noticed benefits that extend beyond physical fitness. Vanderberg said students often return from Mileage Club calmer, more focused and ready to learn.
“Recess staff love it because it cuts down on behavior issues,” he said. “Kids get their energy out, and they come back to class in a really good place.”
The program has also introduced some students to new interests, including cross‑country running in middle school. Vanderberg intentionally talks with fifth graders about continuing their running journey.
“For some kids, this is the first time they realize they enjoy running,” he said. “Mileage Club has helped spark interest in extracurricular activities they might not have tried otherwise.”
Technology that supports teachers
One of the biggest improvements has been the transition from paper punch cards to a digital tracking system. Using scanning cards, tablets and classroom smartboards, teachers can easily track student progress in real time.
“Before, it was really time‑consuming,” Vanderberg said. “Now it’s incredibly efficient. I launched a roster in about 45 minutes at a coffee shop. The technology makes it manageable for teachers, which is huge.”
That efficiency allows educators to focus on students rather than logistics, making the program more sustainable in the long term.
Running toward goals, one lap at a time
For Levi Segur, an 11‑year‑old fifth grader at Bath Elementary, Mileage Club has been part of school life since first grade. It’s something he looks forward to.
“I really like running,” Levi said. “Mileage Club makes it a challenge, and you get rewards. I like working toward a goal.”
Levi has steadily increased his distance over the years and says he’s especially proud of completing two miles in a single session.
“I don’t even do other sports,” he said. “But I like seeing how far I can go.”
His mother, Megan Segur, says Levi’s participation in the program has been entirely self‑driven.
“He absolutely loves it,” she said. “We don’t have to pressure him at all. He just wants to do it for himself, and I’ve really loved seeing that.”
A partnership focused on long‑term health
For Vanderberg, Mileage Club reflects what strong school‑community partnerships can achieve.
“It’s a really good program,” he said. “Fitness Finders is awesome, and MSU Health Care has been incredibly supportive. When you’re starting something new, you always think about time and workload, and this makes it doable.”
As the spring 2026 session gets underway, Vanderberg hopes the tradition continues to grow, inspiring students to move more, feel better and carry healthy habits beyond elementary school.
For more information about the MSU Health Care Sports Medicine Mileage Club and how your school can get involved, contact Scott Sundberg at (800) 789-9255.