I have so much to say about the Nike Young Athlete Innovation Summit that I almost don’t know where to start!
On Thursday, my daughter and I were flown from North Carolina to Portland, Oregon to meet with Nike team members, tour the Nike Campus, and learn more about the company. I have to say from the start that I was already a Nike fan simply because of the well-made products and cute colors (pink!) but never really thought much beyond that about what I was buying and wearing. Now that I’ve learned about how Nike designs, creates and tests their shoes, I can’t imagine ever wanting anything but Nike. They are the best, simply put.
When we arrived at the Nike Global Campus Friday morning, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My husband had told my that Nike had a huge campus in Beaverton, Oregon, but it was nothing like what I’d imagined. (The fact that my husband from N.C. already knew the location of the Nike Campus all the way across the country should tell you what a huge fan of Nike HE is.)
First off, the campus is gorgeous. From the Japanese Flower Gardens, to the wooden bridges over the protected wetland areas and the beautiful hand-crafted sculptures beside the ponds, the Nike campus looks more like a park than a company’s headquarters.
Throughout the day, as we moved from one location to another, we were struck by just how nice the campus is. The entire feel of Nike, in fact, was the same way. I’m certain that the Nike employees all work extremely hard at their jobs, but they didn’t seemed stressed. They all seemed truly happy to be there and, seeing what I saw yesterday, I can absolutely understand why.
Over the next few days, you’ll see several more posts from me about my trip to the Nike Campus, with lots of photos, videos and fun facts, but I want to just give a (not-so?) brief summary of what we saw at Nike.
While the blog moms and dads toured the campus and learned all about Nike, the kids went to a sort of Nike camp. To start the day, the children were all brought into the Kids’ Lounge and shown to a little locker area off to one side. My daughter quickly found the locker with her name on it and was amazed at all of the fun Nike goodies she found inside. She got hot pink Nike Free shoes and lots of cute pink and black clothes and couldn’t wait to try them on. As we said goodbye to the kids, she was running off with her counselor Kaitlyn to start a day of fun. (I was worried my daughter would not want me to leave her, but she RAN off with Kaitlyn and never looked back. đ )
The kids then spent the entire day having fun on the Nike Campus. They went rock wall-climbing and swimming, played ping pong and foosball, colored pictures, had some serious snacks and treats and learned a bit about Nike. My daughter got to meet Olympic runner Amy Yoder Begely and hear about Amy’s career. The kids also got to design their very own Nike ID shoes that will be delivered to them at home in a few days. My daughter hasn’t stopped telling me about the fun things she was able to do at Nike and I know this will be a trip that she’ll remember forever.
While the kids were having a blast with their counselors, the moms and dads got to learn about the amazing process that happens when a Nike shoe is created. From conception to production, there are so many different tests that the shoe goes through to make it the best that it can be. Nike wants their shoes to help athletes do their absolute best and since a pair of shoes might mean the difference between the gold medal and the silver, Nike understands that it’s crucial to make the best shoe possible.
Besides the different tests we were told about, we were also lucky enought to see a few of the top-secret tests they do in the Nike Sport Research Lab. The kids were able to run through a few of the tests while we watched and it was impressive to see how much data Nike collected on every aspect of the foot, motion of the foot, pressure on different areas of the foot, etc.
All of that data, along with hundreds of other studies by Nike helped them create the Nike Free shoes. The Nike Free shoes were created to mimic barefoot walking, allowing the athlete to feel the ground more easily which increases strength, flexibility and balance. All of these benefits help athletes perform better.
Not only are the Nike Free Shoes amazing to walk in, but they’re made in so many cool colors too!
The studies at Nike don’t just help professional athletes. The Nike company was created with the philosophy that âIf you have a body, you are an athlete.â From the tiniest of toddling babies just learning to walk all the way up to adults who are past their prime and maybe even nursing old injuries, Nike considers the needs of all of us.
I’ve never thought about it before, but we were told that a lot of shoe companies don’t like to make shoes for small children. The bio-mechanics of children’s feet are radically different from adults’ and many companies don’t want to figure out how to make proper shoes for them. Many companies that do make adults’ and children’s shoes simply make smaller versions of the adult shoes for the children. Nike doesn’t do this. Their children’s shoes have been created based on studies specifically done on children throughout all of the stages of growth. From the awkward toe walking of a new baby walker up through an active teenager, there are many different needs. Nike makes sure their children’s shoes address those needs.
I’m on my way back home to North Carolina from Oregon now, so I’m going to stop here. I have soooo many more exciting things to share about the Nike Young Athlete Innovation Summit though, and will be posting them in the next couple of days.
For now, I’ll end the post by saying that I’ve never been more impressed with a company before. Not because of the frills and the amazing gifts and the unbelievable trip, although they were all truly awesome, but because of the work, the heart and soul that Nike employees put into a shoe. It’s above and beyond what I ever imagined and I can easily see now why Nike is the best.
So stay tuned! I’ll be back in a couple of days with lots of great photos, stories and cool Nike facts!
Meagan P - Sunshine and Sippy Cups says
LOVE it!! I can’t wait to get some time to get all of my pics up – and I CANNOT wait to see what types of pics and videos the Nike crew send over for us đ I’d love to see more of what the kids did all day!
Mickey says
I know! I spent forever going through my photos and trying to narrow them down to a post, lol.
I have so many more I want to share and don’t even have the Nike ones yet!
Maybe I’ll do a “Week of Nike” and share something each day. đ
Jeannette says
This was such an unbelievable trip and it was a honor to meet you fabulous ladies in person! Can’t wait to see more of the pics and continue to connect in the future and see the new innovative items Nike continues to come up with!
Angela says
Wow! You did such a great job summarizing the trip. Nike is awesome and it was such a pleasure to finally meet you in person!
desiree says
wow you had fun i wish i could go
Linette says
It was so fun to finally meet everyone in person! I’m definitely a Nike fan for life now! I’m feeling the same way, I still have so many photos and so much information to share. I feel several more posts in the making! Love your photos, and you did a fantastic job summarizing!
Mickey says
Thanks, Linette! I will be doing several more posts too, I’m sure! I’m hoping to get some time to check out everyone else’s posts later today. Can’t wait to see all of the photos!
My 2 younger children have their birthday today (different ages), so I’m still scrambling around and haven’t even unpacked, lol.
It was so nice to meet you and look forward to working with you more, especially with Nike!! đ
Tiffany Cruz says
Looks like all of you had a great time. Definitely buying some new Nikes now đ
Debi@ The Spring Mount 6 Pack says
I have heard such amazing things about the event. It looks like it was amazing.
Patti P says
This looks like a lot of fun!
Breenah says
I have got to look into those! I hate running because my feet and knees start to hurt, but better shoes is probably the solution.
Caryn B says
It’s neat to hear that Nike specifically designs shoes for children. I’d love to hear more about your trip : )
Jill A. Collins says
Wow! Sounds like it was an amazing visit! Love the pictures of the campus – beautiful – as well as all the great information. I’ve always liked Nike products.
jill24295@yahoo.com
Janet W. says
I’ve heard great things about this event. Nike is top notch!
courtney b says
wow how amazing you got to be part of that!:) i love nike!
Jeanna says
I didn’t even realize there was a Nike campus!! Sounds like it was a great time!
jamie villari says
That would be a dream for my husband to be able to go and visit. He loves NIKE! looks like it was worth going!
Barbara says
Nike is a great brand and makes things really fantastic!
sharon martin says
Wow, you must of had such an amazing time, loved the post, thanku !!
Danielle says
Love the new Nike mission! I’ll definitely be looking for a pair for my son.
Diane says
I would love to visit ! Im obsessed with sneakers!
Charlene says
Wow, sounds like a great trip. I didn’t realize Nike had such a big facility.
LaVonne says
That sounds so fun. I had no idea that this was something you could go to. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it!
Kari says
I really need better shoes, myself, but I love that they do this for kids who are still developing! It’s so important to start them off on the right track.
Rebecca Parsons says
That is so cool, glad you all had fun and learned about Nike. It really is a great company. And has always been my shoe of choice since I was in cheerleading in high school. They were just the most comfortable shoes even then.
viviana says
wow i didn’t know nike was so careful making their shoes to fit people’s needs. i do think they are very comfortable but didn’t know it was because of all the tests they perform on the shoes. they really are the best shoe company
Alicia K says
i love how they are focusing on children and proper development
Cynthia C says
Wow, I really learned a lot. Thanks for posting.
Ann Fantom says
That is an incredible opportunity that you had!
Teresa says
looks like alot of fun! đ
G Bailey says
nike has a good rep for many things; this summit is another star on the crown
Trasina McGahey says
Wow, those are some great pics! Beautiful! Love the circle of Nike clad feet too. Everyone knows Nike is the best!
Tamara says
The motto “If you have a body, you are an athlete” is really action-provoking and encouraging just to walk a few more steps everyday—at least for me. And this is the first time I’ve heard of the motto! Great post about Nike. I enjoyed it!
Teresha says
It sounds like you and your daughter had a fun and informative trip. I want to
worklive at Nike headquarters!ANN* says
this is great I like how they focus on children and the fact that we should realize shoes arent just for looks – especially for kids. You did a great review with lots of good pictures from you trip to. Thanks for that. We love Nike’s
Wendy T says
That is phenomenal.
From the product to the care to the grounds it all looks very well thought out and cared about.
Kecia says
I didn’t know much about Nike’s headquarters until your post. I love those shoes and all the colors they are available in.
Carrie M says
Wow, you would think that since I have lived with in 45 minuted of their HQ for almost my entire life, I would have known more about it but wow, I had no idea. Great info!
Leslie Galloway says
That slide showing the range of motion between a 10 year old and a 30 year old is really interesting.
Vanessa Coker says
How fun! I love Nike!
Christine L.... says
Wow amazing post, can’t wait to see more pics of different shoe styles!
Megan says
Sounds like a fun trip – what a great experience for you and your daughter!Â
Mary Beth Elderton says
Looks like a great trip. Â I’d love for Nike to do one of the Dispersed Pressure tests on my feet! Â My latest pair are Nike and I love them.
Miranda W says
I always wore Nike when I was a waitress. That’s a long day (night) on your feet.
Lilly says
It looks like you had a great time! That Japanese Flower Garden is beautiful!
LAMusing says
That first photo is gorgeous! Looks like a good time was had by all
Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says
This is really nice, you had to spend a lot of time putting this together, looks really nice.
Stephanie H says
sounds like you had fun. I like the many colors that the shoes came in
Just Coupons says
What fun to go there and learn so much. I love their philosophy that âIf you have a body, you are an athlete.â
Debbie P says
What a neat experience. Â They have so many great products.Â
peppe says
a wonderful experience, i’ve always used nike products because are perfect!
Erin Rok says
Thanks for sharing about Nike! I already love their shoes too, have since I was a kid. Sounds like you and your family had one amazing trip!
Monja Blue says
What an incredible experience! I like the company philosophy: I you have a body, you are an athlete!
Suz Saves says
Great post! Love the pictures of the campus and the information about the shoes! I learned so much about Nike that I didn’t know!
christine jessamine says
the campus is beautiful, thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.
I have always been a huge nike fan myself. i love their sports  clothing line
Shannon M Gallagher says
Wow, Nike seems like an amazing place to work, and to visit like you have done! I like how well they treated all of you and especially the kids!
Sharon says
Wow! You and your Daughter were So lucky to get to experience Nike! Nike is a true Science in Shoes! I had no idea how serious they were in their efforts for comfortable and functional shoe products. I just like Nike Shoes! What a beautiful place to work for their employees and for others to visit. Thanks for a wonderful Post!
Jill says
It just amazes me how much testing actually goes into shoes.
Paul T / Pauline T says
I love their philosophy “If you have a body, you are an athlete” because everyone can do anything …all it takes if motivation – emscout9 at Hotmail dot com
Sue C. says
#Nikekids sounds like a great idea and what a memorable trip for you and your daughter! I remember seeing a story about the Nike campus on 60 Minutes or a similar show and was really impressed with the company and its founder.
Jessica Cox says
looks like u had a awesome time
JR Pickett - Vicki Vix on rafflecopter says
Sounds like an incredible experience. Â I hadn’t really thought about all the mechanics of making an athletic shoe. Â Sounds like Nike puts a lot of research and thought into their shoes. Â Thanks for the review and photos. Â
stephanie rowe says
sounds like a great event!!
LaTanya says
I like that Nike cares about children’s shoes as well as adults. I have always liked Nike as footwear brand.
Sarah L says
You were worried that your daughter might not want to leave; instead she runs off. That’s cute.
Thuy Vu says
Thanks for sharing with everyone. Â Nike seems to care a lot about their consumers and how their product is developed. Â I believe your comment is valid, because I find that toddler shoes are so difficult to fit. Â I can’t seem to find the right shoes for my baby. Â It just seems like his feet are to fat on top. Â I was in Target tonight trying to find some inexpensive sandals to no avail. Â It’s really frustrating.