On Sunday, March 1st PCR will be kicking off our #PCR10kChallenge campaign and we need your help! PCR student-athletes, coaches, and board members will join together with a goal of rowing, erging, or running 10,000,000 meters and engaging 200 new supporters in our program. Individuals taking part will be tasked with:
1) ACCEPT: Accept the challenge by rowing, cycling, or running 10,000 meters (6.2 miles). (If this doesn't fit your training plan/style feel free to tailor the challenge so it meets your fitness goals! If you'd like to row your meters and don't have access to a rowing machine, please contact caitlin@philadelphiacityrowing.org and we'll help get you access!)
2) DOCUMENT YOUR 10K: Take a sweaty selfie of you and your teammates/co-workers upon completing the 10k challenge.
3) UPLOAD: Upload your photo to social media, tagging/challenging at least three of your friends or family members. Make sure to tag #PCR10kChallenge and @philadelphiacityrowing!
4) GIVE: Head to www.paypal.me/PhilCityRow to support our programs and help us bring this life-changing sport to public school youth throughout the city.
We hope we can count on your support as we work to share rowing with all young Philadelphians and empower them to reach their greatest potential! Additional information about the campaign, FAQs, and sample posts can be found below. If you have any further questions, please reach out to info@philadelphiacityrowing.org
THANK YOUR FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF PCR!
FAQs!
How do I participate in the PCR 10k Challenge?
1) ACCEPT: Accept the challenge by rowing, cycling, or running 10,000 meters (6.2 miles). (If this doesn't fit your training plan/style feel free to tailor the challenge so it meets your fitness goals! If you'd like to row your meters and don't have access to a rowing machine, please contact caitlin@philadelphiacityrowing.org and we'll help get you access!)
2) DOCUMENT YOUR 10K: Take a sweaty selfie of you and your teammates/co-workers upon completing the 10k challenge.
3) UPLOAD: Upload your photo to social media, tagging/challenging at least three of your friends or family members. Make sure to tag #PCR10kChallenge and @philadelphiacityrowing!
4) GIVE: Head to www.paypal.me/PhilCityRow to support our programs and help us bring this life-changing sport to public school youth throughout the city.
Why support Philadelphia City Rowing by Participating in the #PCR10kChallenge?
We have 2 goals for the #PCR10kChallenge: 1) Raise money for our programs so that we can provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to be successful in the classroom, in the boat, and in life. 2) Raise awareness for our program so that members of the worldwide rowing community and Philadelphia business community can join us in taking steps to increase diversity in our sport.
We hope that with your #PCR10kChallenge post you take the time to share how rowing (or sport) has impacted your life, share how you are using sport to change the lives of others, or just share your support! Organized athletic programs provide young people with structure, a competitive outlet, camaraderie, countless health benefits, academic opportunities, and valuable life lessons. Unfortunately, quality athletic programs can be costly, especially in rowing, and for students living in poverty (81% of students in the School District of Philadelphia), these programs and the opportunities that they provide are usually unattainable. At Philadelphia City Rowing, we actively recruit at-potential and under-resourced students so that they can have access to a quality athletic and academic experience that will help them reach their greatest potential.
How is this year's #PCR10kChallenge different from 2019?
1) Last year, we raised over $17,000 for our program and over 200 members of the rowing community participated in the challenge on social media. Over the course of a month, a collection of inspirational captions, fun team photos, rowing music videos, and sweaty selfies were being shared across the entire community. At the end of the month, we wanted to showcase and reward the best posts, so we held two 24-hour competitions for followers to vote on the best Philadelphia posts and the best worldwide posts. These competitions were not only a fun way for teams and rowers to show off their creativity and try to win themselves some free rowing gear, but they were also a way for our program and our mission to reach hundreds of members of the rowing community.
2) This year, we want to make our challenge even bigger and reach an even wider audience. In addition to the many rowing submissions we hope to receive, we will be accepting #PCR10kChallenge submissions from individuals, teams, and organizations who participate in any type of physical activity. To keep the submissions exciting, we are expanding the competition to four voting categories: Best Worldwide Photo, Best Philadelphia Photo, Best Worldwide Video, and Best Philadelphia Video. In addition to voting categories, the PCR staff will award prizes to our favorite non-rowing posts. There will be six finalists in each voting category. All finalists will earn prizes and the winner will earn a grand prize. Photo and video submissions can be made on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. If you’d like your submission to be considered for the competition, your account must be public for at least 24 hours after posting.
Do I have to donate if I take the challenge?
While every donation, no matter how large or small, makes a huge difference, you do not have to donate in order to participate. Simply by posting in support of the #PCR10kChallenge, you’re already raising awareness for our programs and our student-athletes. Making a donation, however, will help drive our mission forward and our life-changing programs to students throughout Philadelphia who have previously been excluded from rowing and the benefits its provides. So, participating AND donating is ideal.
How do I donate?
CLICK HERE to make an online donation. You can also donate through Venmo (@PhilaCityRowing) or mail a check made out to Philadelphia City Rowing to 450 Plymouth Road, suite 305, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Please put 10k Challenge in the memo line with your check or Venmo donation so we know to attribute your gift to this campaign!
What does Philadelphia City Rowing Do?
PCR uses a positive sports-based youth development model to empower Philadelphia public school students to reach their greatest potential. In addition to our rigorous rowing program, we also provide nutrition education, mentoring, water safety instruction (swim lessons), college counseling, SAT prep courses, college visits, and career exploration. In 2014, we added a middle school program that allowed us to reach students even earlier in their development of healthy habits and hopefully in time to help them stay on track for high school graduation. All of our programs and services are offered to our participants at no cost, except the commitment of their time and effort.
Each year we serve 300+ youth between our high school, middle school, and summer camps. These students come from 45 different schools throughout Philadelphia. More than 50% of our participants are from low-income families, and to date, we are proud to say that 100% of our athletes have graduated on time and with a plan for furthering their education or vocational training.
Additional information about our mission and values can be found online at www.philadelphiacityrowing.org/about-pcr
Sample Posts:
Pumped to be supporting @philadelphiacityrowing and their #PCR10KChallenge today as they work to engage students throughout Philadelphia in the life changing sport of rowing. I nominate @person1 @person2 and @person3 to do the same!
Love what @philadelphiacityrowing is doing to bring more diversity to our sport and all the work they are doing with kids in the Philly Public Schools. I am happy to support the #PCR10KChallenge and nominate @organization1 @organization2 @organization3 do the same!
High schools sports helped me become the person and athlete I am today. I am happy to support @philadelphiacityrowing and the #PCR10KChallenge. I nominate @rowingteam1 @rowingteam2 and @rowingteam3 do the same!
Affordable sport and youth development opportunities are so important but quickly becoming not accessible. @philadelphiacityrowing does great work and I am happy to support the #PCR10KChallenge. I nominate @group1 @group2 and @group3 to do the same!