Aug. 12, 2025

A national kids training program is coming to Sioux Falls.

KidStrong is a franchised concept with 160 locations that was founded in 2015 and is designed to help children develop a sense of independence, strength, confidence and character. It’s being franchised locally by Jonelle Clow, who plans to open her location in the Lake Lorraine development by the end of the year.

Clow witnessed the program’s results firsthand. A northwest Minnesota native, she lived in Arizona for 13 years before recently returning to the Midwest. While in Arizona, her daughter was a KidStrong participant.

“When I decided to make the move to Sioux Falls, I was looking for anything that would be similar to keep her in — there’s just really nothing like it,” Clow said. “So I started looking into opportunities to potentially bring something here.”

 With KidStrong already looking to develop in the area, she jumped on the opportunity.

“It just worked out perfectly,” Clow said.

Open to kids from walking age to 11-years-old, the curriculum is taught through 45-minute, age-specific classes every week and is based on developmental milestones. Coaches use a hands-on approach to apply insights from occupational therapy, child development and physical education. Parents are welcome and encouraged to be involved in their child’s progress.

“Kids are taught everything from the importance of shaking hands to how to do a pull up correctly,” Clow said. “It’s basically aiming to equip children with the skills they need to succeed in all areas of life — both inside and outside the classroom.”

Along with weekly classes, KidStrong hosts camps and can be rented for parties.

The program is membership-based, meaning that interested families will have access to sign-ups once the website is launched by the end of this month. Further marketing is set to launch in the near future. Clow also is eager to assist, she said.

“If anybody sees me out in the community with my KidStrong gear on, I’d love for them to approach me,” Clow said.

Her space at Lake Lorraine is in the former Wings Gymnastics Academy at 2556 S. Lorraine Place. Wings has moved classes to its main location at 5825 S. Bahnson Ave.

Clow said she appreciates the accessibility of the space — specifically the lack of difficult turns and congested parking lots.

“Sioux Falls has a growing family-oriented population in general, which is really great,” she said. “I’m just excited to get involved, and I’m hoping that it’s met with the same enthusiasm and excitement as I have in bringing it here.”

The location “checked all the boxes,” said Bobbie Tibbetts of Bender Commercial Real Estate Services, who worked with Clow to find her site.

“The development offers retail and dining options, with a grocery store in close proximity. It’s a nice blend where families can tackle everyday errands with leisure, making it an ideal destination. The suite currently offers an open floor plan, so KidStrong will easily be able to build out the space to accommodate their design and layout.”