Where Our Children Play: Beyond the Scoreboard

10/12/2026

Did you know? In Japan, an entire national holiday is dedicated to the joy of movement!

Every year on the second Monday of October, Japan celebrates Health and Sports Day (Tai-iku no Hi), a national holiday originally created to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Instead of regular classes, schools across the country—including middle and high schools—hold their annual Undokai (sports festivals) around this time. These epic festivals feature track and field events, relay races, and tug-of-war designed to foster teamwork, physical rigor, and most importantly, community spirit for every student, not just the elite athletes.

At Where Our Children Play, we love this philosophy! Play and physical health shouldn't be about high-pressure cuts or exclusive elite teams—it should be a celebration of movement, connection, and growing together.

How does your family celebrate staying active as the seasons change? Let us know below! 👇

10/11/2026

It's time to rally behind the local pride of Las Vegas! The UNLV Rebels Women's Soccer team is stepping onto the pitch to take on the Wyoming Cowgirls, and they need our energy in the stands!

🗓 When: Sunday, October 11 at 12:00 PM PT
📍 Where: Peter Johann Memorial Field / Las Vegas
🎀Theme: Breast Cancer Awareness Game

Let's show up, fill the stands, and show everyone how Las Vegas supports women's collegiate athletics!

Who is heading out to support our local team? Drop a 💖 in the comments if you’ll be cheering on the Rebels!

10/09/2026

"I'm not good enough to play." Hearing a kid say that—or watching them walk away from a sport they love just because they aren't the fastest, strongest, or picked first—is heartbreaking.

In today’s hyper-competitive youth sports culture, kids who just want to play for fun are often pushed out early. The constant pressure, fear of failure, and cuts take a heavy toll on their mental health, leading to anxiety, a drop in self-worth, and a belief that they "just aren't athletic."

Play shouldn’t come with a prerequisite of perfection.

At Where Our Children Play, we are changing that narrative. We believe every child deserves the right to play, grow, and belong—regardless of their skill level or whether they make the elite travel team. We focus on whole-human development, building mental clarity, and creating environments where joy comes before pressure.

Because sports should build kids up, not break them down.

If your child wants to play, move, and have fun without the toxic stress, we’re here for them. Let's get kids back to playing for the love of the game. Learn More: https://whereourchildrenplay.org/

10/08/2026

🎧 Turn Your Commute Into Your Warm-Up ⚽

Bored of the same old walk to or from school? Stop treating it like a chore and make it your secret weapon. If you've got soccer practice later or just want to sharpen your skills, your commute is the ultimate low-key training ground. Try this:

1️⃣Plug in ONE earbud (safety first, fam!)
2️⃣Match your steps to the tempo of your favorite high-energy track.
3️⃣Practice quick, rhythmic footwork patterns as you walk—light steps, fast touches, and getting your feet moving to the beat.

It’s an effortless way to lock in your rhythm, get your blood pumping, and act as the ultimate pre-practice warm-up before you even step on the pitch.

How do you make your daily walk less boring? Drop your go-to workout playlist track in the comments! 👇🔥

10/06/2026

We want to give a massive shoutout and thank you to our incredible leaders, mentors, and coaches—including our founders Joel Franco and Chalane Miller, and Program Director / Mindset lead Reed Maltbie—along with everyone who pours their time and energy into supporting our athletes.

At Where Our Children Play, we know that true coaching is about so much more than the scoreboard or high-pressure wins. It’s about building confident humans and developing the whole child. Thank you for guiding our kids past the pressure and helping them rediscover their love for the game.

To learn more about our mission, our team, and how we're transforming youth sports, visit us at whereourchildrenplay.org/about

10/03/2026

It's game day in the USL Championship as Las Vegas Lights FC takes on San Antonio FC! Matches like this remind us of the incredible energy, skill, and excitement that professional soccer brings to the pitch.

👇 Who are you cheering for tonight? Drop your pick in the comments below!

Every professional star on that pitch started somewhere. At Where Our Children Play (WOCP), we believe that grassroots support is the vital beginning that can lead a child all the way to a championship.

Kids can start playing anytime, anywhere—but they need your help, your encouragement, and your investment to get there. By fostering whole-human development and joyful play over high-pressure competition, we give children the foundation they need to thrive on and off the field.

Learn More about how you can help: https://whereourchildrenplay.org/givingthursday-soccer-summer-camp-scholarship-drive/

10/02/2026

New Month, Same Passion.

As we turn the calendar page, our commitment doesn’t skip a beat. A new month brings fresh opportunities, but our core driving force remains entirely unchanged: putting the child back at the center of the game.

At Where Our Children Play, our mission is to transform youth sports by focusing on the whole child, not just the athlete. We are dedicated to replacing intense pressure with steady, whole-human development—fostering mental clarity, confidence, and a lifelong love for play.

Because kids aren't just projects or positions on a field; they are growing humans who deserve to feel seen, heard, and supported. Learn More: https://whereourchildrenplay.org/givingthursday-soccer-summer-camp-scholarship-drive/

09/27/2026

Celebrating Family, Community, and Play! 🌟Today is a special reminder to hit pause on our busy schedules, unplug, and invest in the people and places that matter most: our families and our local neighborhoods.

At Where Our Children Play, we believe that strong communities are built on the laughter, joy, and connection found in safe, vibrant spaces for kids to play and grow. When children play together, neighbors connect, and communities thrive.

Every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to play, imagine, and build friendships. Unfortunately, not all neighborhoods have access to the quality play spaces they need. By supporting our cause today, you are helping to:

✅Strengthen Family Bonds: Creating spaces where parents and children can make lasting memories together outdoors.
✅Unite Neighborhoods: Building community hubs that bring diverse families together.
✅Invest in the Future: Giving local kids the active, joyful childhoods they deserve.

This Family and Community Day, let's build a stronger community from the ground up. Consider making a donation to help us create and maintain accessible play spaces for children who need them most.

👉https://whereourchildrenplay.org/givingthursday-soccer-summer-camp-scholarship-drive/

How is your family celebrating community and connection today? Let us know in the comments below!

09/25/2026

Next weekend on Saturday, October 3rd, the Las Vegas Lights Football Club host their annual Kick Cancer Game against San Antonio FC! It’s a fantastic opportunity for our community to rally together for a powerful cause, enjoy some amazing local soccer, and grab a special Kick Cancer rally towel giveaway!

Who from our community is going to be in the stands cheering them on? Drop a comment below and let us know if you there! https://www.lasvegaslightsfc.com/schedule/

You could be playing professional soccer one day—it starts with the right training from WOCP. Learn More by going to: https://whereourchildrenplay.org/

Las Vegas Lights FC full schedule for the 2026 season of the USL Championship. Dates, venues, and tickets can be found here!

09/23/2026

Strength isn't just about lifting heavy—it’s about building functional power that helps kids sprint faster, move with confidence, and win those exciting physical duels safely!

Here are two foundational movements we focus on to build resilient athletes:

🏋️‍♀️Squats: The ultimate movement for strengthening quads, hamstrings, and glutes to power explosive speed.

🏋🏿‍♂️Single-Leg Squats: Perfect for building unilateral strength, improving balance, and protecting growing joints by mastering stable landings.

When kids build physical strength, they build mental resilience to take on any challenge life throws their way. Learn more about how we help kids build these skills through soccer: https://whereourchildrenplay.org/

What is your child’s absolute favorite way to stay active and play outside? Let us know in the comments below! 👇