The Kangaroo Kids Precision Jump Rope Team was formed in 1978 by Don Disney at Atholton Elementary School in Howard County, Maryland.  The team began as a small jump rope physical fitness club.  Today the Kangaroo Kids organization consists of more than 200 children from all areas of Howard County, Maryland.  The children range from first grade through college and are assigned to a specific team according to age and skill level.  The Kangaroo Kids Head Coach is James McCleary, a nationally recognized physical educator who also serves as the AAU Jump Rope Chairman.  His efforts over the last twenty years have contributed to the development of Jump Rope as a popular sport.

Currently both girls and boys compete, perform, and have fun jumping rope. Jump rope is now a very competitive sport. Athletes travel all around the world to compete against the best jumpers in judged competition. Some teams only jump to help the American Heart Association or just to perform in front of audiences, others are created just to compete, but they all help introduce jump rope to people. Jump rope has grown from just a fun game to play on the playground to an international sport.

The Kangaroo Kids are organized into teams by age and skill level.

Developmental Teams:

1. Blue Team - Most experienced jumpers in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.
   

2. Lavender Team - Experienced jumpers in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. This is a non-performing team.
   

3. Purple Team - Learning simple routine incorporating the basic steps. This is a non-performing team. No uniform required.

Intermediate Teams:

1. Yellow Team - More experienced jumpers Grades 4 through Grade 8 performing intermediate routines. This is a performing team.
   

2. Green Team - Experienced jumpers in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. This is a non-performing team.

Advanced Teams:

1. Orange and Red Travel Teams - The most experienced jumpers from Grade 4 through High School. Members normally have two to three years experience on the other teams. These are performing teams. These team members travel within the state, as well as outside of the state or country, when selected by the coaches.
   

2. Competition Team - Participates in formal competitions under the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union and the U.S.A. Jump Rope Federation locally, regionally and nationally. To be on the competition team, jumpers must be a member of one of the performing teams.

Head Coach Jim McCleary is a nationally recognized physical educator who also serves on the USA Jump Rope Federation Board and as the AAU Jump Rope Chairman. His efforts over the past 20 years have contributed to the development of jump rope as a popular sport.

The Kangaroo Kids compete each summer at the US Amateur Jump Rope Federation National Championships and at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics. They also have competed multiple times at the biannual FISAC World Championship.

Congratulations to the competition athletes for a great performance!

Accomplishments and photos for Kangaroo Kids at these tournaments:

2009

1. US Jump Rope 2009 National Championship, held in Galveston, TX from June 25-28, 2009