Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions |

What is the Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge?

The Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge is a FREE 10-week program for school-aged youth who live in Chatham County.

Participants choose from activities focused on giving back, kindness and connection, helping at home, staying active and personal growth.

Complete 10 approved Challenge Credits and earn a brand-new pair of sneakers through Soleful Kicks.

10 Weeks. 10 Credits. 1 Goal.

Give Back. Step Forward.

Who can participate?

The Winter Challenge is open to school-aged youth who reside in Chatham County, North Carolina.

Families with multiple children are welcome to participate. However, a separate registration form must be completed for each participant.

Each participant must independently complete their own 10 Challenge Credits to earn sneakers.

My child participated in the Summer Challenge. Can they participate again?

Absolutely!

Youth who participated in or completed the 2026 Soleful Kicks Summer Challenge are welcome to register for the Winter Challenge.

The Winter Challenge is a new experience with a different set of activities and a greater focus on giving back, kindness, personal growth and helping others.

Previous participation does not affect a child’s eligibility to complete the Winter Challenge and earn a new pair of sneakers.

Does the program cost anything?

No. The Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge is completely FREE for participating families.

Registration is required and space is limited based on available funding and program capacity.

When is registration?

Registration for the 2026–27 Winter Challenge is open:

November 1–14, 2026

The Challenge begins November 15, 2026.

Families are encouraged to register early because participation is limited.

How do participants earn sneakers?

Participants complete activities from the Winter Challenge Passport and submit them to Soleful Kicks for approval.

Each approved activity earns 1 Challenge Credit.

Youth who earn 10 approved Challenge Credits by the end of the Challenge successfully complete the program and earn a new pair of sneakers through Soleful Kicks.

What kinds of activities count?

Participants choose from 20 activities across five areas:

Give Back
Kindness & Connection
Help at Home
Get Active
Grow

Activities include volunteering, helping a neighbor, completing acts of kindness, participating in a service project, helping at home, walking, physical activity, reading, learning a new skill and setting a goal.

Participants receive the complete Winter Challenge Passport after registration is approved.

Does my child have to complete 10 different activities?

No.

Participants may choose the activities that interest them. However, the same activity may be completed no more than three times during the Winter Challenge.

This gives youth flexibility while also encouraging them to try different things.

Does my child have to complete giving-back activities?

Giving back is an important part of the Winter Challenge.

We ask participants to make at least 5 of their 10 Challenge Credits activities that involve giving back, helping others or supporting their community.

Giving back does not have to involve spending money. Helping a neighbor, volunteering, writing a letter of encouragement and participating in a community cleanup are just a few examples.

How are activities submitted?

Participants submit completed activities through the official Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge submission form.

Families receive the submission link and QR code in their Winter Challenge Passport after registration is approved.

One submission should be completed for each activity.

Participants may complete and submit one activity per day.

What kinds of proof are accepted?

When available, participants may submit a photo, screenshot or other information showing what they completed.

We understand that not every activity can or should be photographed. Participants may also be asked to provide a short description or reflection about what they did.

All submissions are reviewed by the Soleful Kicks team before a Challenge Credit is approved.

Can my child complete the Challenge early?

Yes!

Participants do not have to wait until the end of the 10 weeks to complete their Challenge.

Because participants may complete one activity per day, youth can progress at their own pace. Once all 10 Challenge Credits have been approved, the participant has successfully completed the Winter Challenge.

What is the Parent Toolkit?

Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping young people work toward a goal.

Every participating family receives a short Parent Toolkit with simple ideas for encouraging effort, recognizing progress and supporting their child throughout the Challenge.

Parents will also receive occasional Step Forward Tips by email during the Challenge.

What are Parent Credits?

Parents and caregivers can take on a small challenge of their own by completing 2 Parent Credits from a list of five simple activities.

Parent Credits focus on things like spending time together, recognizing effort and encouraging your child.

Parent Credits are completely optional. A parent’s participation does not affect whether their child completes the Winter Challenge or earns sneakers.

Is there a limit to how many youth can participate?

Yes.

Participation is limited based on available funding and program capacity.

Registration may close if available spaces are filled.

What is the sneaker budget?

Soleful Kicks provides up to an $85 shoe budget for each participant who successfully completes the Winter Challenge.

Can participants receive cash instead of shoes?

No.

Sneaker rewards have no cash value and may not be exchanged for cash, gift cards or other items.

Sneakers are ordered directly through Soleful Kicks.

How are sneakers ordered?

Once a participant reaches 10 approved Challenge Credits, the family will receive a congratulations email.

Cheryl, our Program Coordinator, will then contact the family with information about selecting the participant’s new sneakers and submitting the shoe order.

When does the Winter Challenge end?

The Winter Challenge runs:

November 15, 2026 – January 23, 2027

Participants must earn 10 approved Challenge Credits to successfully complete the Challenge.

Why is Soleful Kicks doing this?

The Winter Challenge is about more than earning a new pair of sneakers.

We want young people to have opportunities to:

Set a goal
Make progress
Keep going
Give back to others
Try something new
Know that someone is supporting them

The activities provide opportunities for young people to practice these skills while doing positive things at home and in their community.

Sneakers are not the outcome.

They are the catalyst.

Ready to Step Forward?

The Soleful Kicks Winter Challenge is completely FREE for school-aged youth who live in Chatham County.

Registration: November 1–14, 2026
Challenge: November 15, 2026 – January 23, 2027