One Click Planning
By Elizabeth Hoppe
By Elizabeth Hoppe
If you’re like Erin Mersinger—a mom of two active kids who are always looking for the next fun class or sport to try—you’ve likely been frustrated by the disorganization of information about local activities for your kids in town.
“I felt like I was missing deadlines, while spending so much time searching for the right program,” Mersinger says. “There were really creative classes out there for my kids that I didn’t even know about”
Today, she’s trying to keep others from the same frustration with Sport Sleuth—a new website where parents can find one comprehensive list of sports and extracurricular activities. The site launched in June and is searchable by location and type of activity, and includes reviews, maps, contact information, and easy links to register.
Sport Sleuth is a passion project for Mersinger—created because she wanted to help other parents like her put all the possible activities for their kids in one spot.
“I don’t have to search each individual facility website to find what I need. It’s especially helpful for young families who are new to the area and don’t know where to look,” she says. “And it’s relatively simple. You type in your zip code and choose your activity—art, computers, or soccer for example.”
The search results populate everything in your area that’s currently going on when registration is open. It’s updated regularly, so you’re not going to see classes that are halfway over. The site has activities, classes, and sports for kids ages 0-18. Right now, the listings are focused on the Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, and other nearby areas, but Mersinger’s goal is to expand listings throughout the rest of the suburbs and Illinois.
In addition to the frustration some parents feel, some organizations feel equally frustrated with their ability to share all the great offerings they have at any given time. Would your kids be interested in shipbuilding or chess, if they knew they had the option? Sometimes these types of classes go unfilled because people don’t know about them, and Sport Sleuth is also helping to surface some of those classes for families who seek them.
“My goal is to help people find that perfect class, and spend less time searching for it!”For busy parents, that means one less thing to worry about.
Sport Sleuth listings can be found at sport-sleuth.com. You can also follow Sports Sleuth on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information, contact Erin Mersinger at [email protected] or 630-390-8283.
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