Life & Work with D. Jonas Jr. of Shawnee Kansas

Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Jonas Jr.

Hi Jonas, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2010 when my son was racing Cyclocross I installed a small course in our yard in Overland Park, for he and his team members to practice on. We opened the course up to other kids, seeing just how much fun and challenge came from riding in the grass, dirt and sand. In 2011 I formally established the Donderdag! Youth Cyclocross Clinics, leading CX skill clinics every Thursday night. Volunteers were recruited to teach bike handling skills, race day attendance skills, and personal empowerment. We determined early on that the program would always be kept free of charge to kids and their parents. We practiced from late August through late November (the US Cycling Association CX season) in that yard for six years, and in 2017, Shawnee Kansas reached out to us and offered a piece of land to operate on. What began as a small group of families practicing has grown into fourteen Thursday night clinics hosting an average of fifty-four signed in kids, their siblings and parents, and six to ten volunteer coaches. All of these kids and families follow a written curriculum of Skill Sets, preparing beginners to attend races with confidence and know-how. In 2021 the Steve Tilford Foundation joined the coaching volunteers and provide advanced Skill Set coaching and advanced personal empowerment skills to kids who are growing stronger and faster after two or three beginner seasons. Advanced kids are coached on the same field as beginners and are inspired to respect, protect and inspire the younger beginner kids. To this day, the program remains free to any kid who wants to ride, as long as they sign in and wear their green wristbands.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a youth and family program always has its challenges. Kids are wild at heart and full of energy. Cyclocross is a grueling sport, and emotions can run high. We’ve had kids get hurt, cry out loud, throw their bikes out of the course during races, and we’ve even had kids break out into fights. We love them through these moments, helping them understand their own emotions, and how to recover and move forward. Our relationship with Shawnee Kansas has had it’s ups and downs, and three years ago when the head of Parks and Recreation retired, we held our breath for two years seeing if the new administration would keep us on the property. While some kids participate in the program for many years in a row, a lot of kids come and go. When the kids loose interest or just don’t like the sport, parents leave with them. That makes keeping volunteers, board members, and other supporting individuals hard to hang one to. But again, we don’t over-coach and if a kid and their family need to move on, we bid them fair travels, and thank them for the time they shared with us.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
From 2000-2019 I worked full time, self-employed as a home service, maintenance, and repair person. When I started that business I lived in Midtown Kansas City Missouri, and worked mostly on historic homes. I ended up learning the craft of rebuilding double hung, weight and pulley windows which was my favorite work. I also loved doing “list work”. All the little repairs, adjustments, clean-ups and other jobs most guys don’t want to mess with.
In 2011I founded the Donderdag! Youth Cyclocross Clinics, and I am currently in the process of making that my full time job.
The thing that sets me apart is my ability to get along with kids. We don’t over-coach kids, and yet Donderdag! Kids and families stand out at races as on time, well informed, and highly trained. As the leader of the program I empower the board members (Donderdag! is a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation), and the volunteer coaches to bring positive inspiration to every clinic. When engaging with parents my goal is to be real with them, at a heart felt level. I’ve helped a bunch of helicopter moms and dads give up their hovering, and fretting and to learn to let their kids thrive in rain, snow, mud, freezing weather and risky activities. Our coaching methods are fun but very effective, and the Donderdag! Program is known for its vibe. A vibe of inclusiveness, joy, and powerful results.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
At sixty-one years old, I’m the oldest guy on the field most of the time, and almost old enough to be some of the parents’ father. I’m not wasting my life experience, and I share my heart with the board members, volunteers, and families all the time. I remind them we are all here to learn and grow, that their ideas are important, and that failure is just a sign of action. For whatever reason, I’m comfortable with kids, and meet them where they are. Kids trust me and follow me around like funny little critters ready to ride fast and go far. I give every kid 100% of my effort, no matter their level. From strider bike toddlers, to grade school kids who show up out of shape and on training wheels, and to awkward teens outgrowing their clothes by the week. All of these kids are opportunities to grow a beautiful future. My job is to shepherd them into their own unique, courageous, and thriving form of who they truly are as individuals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://donderdag.bike
• Instagram: @donderdagkc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/230095100377305
• Twitter: jonas@donderdag.bike
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laughingheartsandminds2562