An Animal Rights/Vegan Activists' Strategies Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org

Part of growing up is carving out your identity and exploring the ways in which you might contribute to the world. In this inspiring article, Sara McGoun suggests an addition to the three standard paths often presented to young people and shares some amazing resources to pass on to the kids in your life.

Beyond Athlete, Artist, and Academic
From Sara McGoun, VLCE, Main Street Vegan Academy, MainStreetVegan.com
October 2026

Images from Canva

Originally printed in the Main Street Vegan blog, MainStreetVegan.com.

The Three A’s of Childhood: Athlete, Arts, Or Academic

Like many Midwesterners growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I felt like there were three tracks you could take as a kid:

First, athlete. Girls’ sports were widely accepted and available. Playing sports was relatively affordable too, unlike the youth-sports-industrial complex of today.

Second, arts. If sports weren’t your jam, you might explore theater, drawing, painting, crafts, music, or band. There were competitions, fairs, and school productions to advance your talents.

And third, academic. If you were gifted in the classroom, there was a track for you to follow, too.

So What Kind Of A-Hole Was I?

Despite being a varsity letter winner all four years in high school as a swimmer, I barely qualified as an athlete. I joke that I retired from competitive swimming after graduation and arrived at Indiana University the fall of 1999 without a classification beyond freshman.

I was an honor student too, but you didn’t want me on the Quiz Bowl team because math would take me down.

What I Wouldn’t Give to Have Found Out Sooner

It started as a tug at my soul. A desire to stand up for social justice long before I understood the term. I discovered activism. I discovered advocacy. I discovered that caring deeply about something could be a path all its own.

It got me thinking. Why don’t we encourage kids to be more involved with the social issues that they care about with the same enthusiasm as buying them crayons, signing them up for piano lessons, or enrolling them in travel softball? Civic engagement can be a part of childhood, too. Kids can learn that they have a role in protecting the vulnerable, our environment, and fellow beings. They can learn their voice matters.

This Xennial knows that we need people to be engaged to change the world for the better. While I wasn’t aware of how necessary activists were while I was growing up, I’m resolved to ensure the kids in my life know better.

Resources for Activist Kids

The good news—resources now exist! I’m over-the-moon enthusiastic about the incredible tools and support that are now available to parents and kids through PETA Kids, peta2, LEAP, and The Raven Corp.

PETA Kids

Designed for children 12 and younger and their parents, PETA Kids teaches animal rights and encourages compassionate choices through veganism. It offers educational quizzes, interactive games, comic books, vegan recipes, and a free “Kind Kid” membership program. Kids can explore compassion for animals in ways that are age-appropriate and fun.

LEAP

The compassionate alternative to 4-H exists, LEAP prepares the next generation of changemakers to tackle the challenges of animal cruelty, climate change, food deserts, wildlife protection, and biodiversity loss. Students find like-minded friends and mentors, develop social/emotional skills and leadership traits, and learn how to make a tangible impact for causes they care about.

peta2

For teens and college students, peta2 teaches about speciesism and how to make compassionate everyday changes for animals. You’ll find the peta2 team at concerts, online creating communities, and teaching peers how to be active for animal liberation.

The Raven Corp

And the cool kids club, The Raven Corp is a community of youth activists who care about humans, nonhuman animals, and the natural world. Their work sits at the intersection of veganism, animal rights, and intersectional social justice.

So, Let’s Encourage a Fourth A

Athlete. Artist. Academic. Activist.

While I’m happily child-free, I’m an auntie to many, and I want the kids in my life to know that activist isn’t a four-letter word. If sports aren’t their thing, no problem. If the arts don’t call to them, that’s cool. And if they’re not destined for Quiz Bowl academic glory, there is still a track for them.

There’s a whole world of fulfillment, community, and empowerment awaiting kids who want to change it for the better. Especially for the animals who need every one of us.

By Sara McGoun, trained and certified as a vegan lifestyle coach and educator by Main Street Vegan Academy, www.MainStreetVegan.com.

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Sara McGoun, VLCE, is an animal advocate and nonprofit professional who believes activism and compassion can start at any age. A 2018 Main Street Vegan Academy grad, she serves as a Philanthropic Specialist in Legacy Gifts at The PETA Foundation and has built a career around advocacy, community, and creating a kinder world for animals and people. A proud Indiana University alumna, Sara lives in Indianapolis with her rescue dog, Rocky.

Photo credit: Sara McGoun

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: November 3, 2026
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