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5 times more fun by Jackie Windsor
Kids' Recumbent Bike
The First Annual East Williams Memorial Pentathlon went off without a hitch. The children thorougly enjoyed themselves. They each competed in the following 5 uniques events.
1. CYCLING EVENT
Kids had to drive their bikes 35 metres (more difficult than it appears) around several pylons and return to the starting line. These banana bicycles were generously donated by "The Great Canadian Hideaway," which is an independently-owned trailer park/recreational area within 10 from here. (These generous people have donated these bicycles for other events and their willingness to do this is outstanding.) Bumping was not allowed and would result in disqualification. Three place winners, each group.
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The kids had to run a dash of 40 metres. They had 2 or 3 trials, and we took the top 3 of each group. Some of them continued racing well after the results were in. Needed 4 stop watches and 15 pylons. Three place winners each group.
3. OBSTACLE COURSE
The kids had to run, jump, crawl, and tumble their way through, around, and over various obstacles (a huge high-jump mat they had to roll/tumble over, tubes they had to crawl through, hoola hoops they had to skip through). They went 2 at a time, and the winner of each 'heat' went ahead to compete with another 'winner.' Three place winners each group.
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A rowing competition where we had 2 state-of-the-art rowing machines delivered courtesy of the University of Western Ontario, complete with a professional rower 'borrowed' from British Columbia who came to oversee the event, explain the techniques and measuring devices, the rowing machines themselves, and record the most efficient rowers based on time and distance. This was a fantastic event, very unique, and a very exciting opportunity to introduce these kids to rowing. The University should be complimented on their outstanding support of this event. The rowers rowed for 30 seconds as fast as they could, in pairs. Three place winners each group.
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This event was similar to the obstacle course, although the kids had to also maneouver their way through a 'soaker hose' (would've been good had it been a hot day) and around and through and over other barricades and over 20 mats. Three place winners, each group.
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This event, or any event closely resembling this event, to my knowledge, has never taken place at any of the rural schools in this area and I have heard no plans of any rural school considering an event such as this. The principal said the same thing in the final 2003 academic year school newsletter. These children do not have access to this type of equipment/event on a regular basis or even at all.
The children were from grades 1-8 inclusive; they would most likely be aged 6-13. There were 277 children involved that day and each of them completed every event.
The event was proposed in December; it was accepted in early January. Progress reports were provided weekly in a binder for all teachers/principal to read and question.
Most of the supplies were donated. Approximately 200 letters went out (hand delivered locally) beginning in January to ask for donations. The local hardware store and a neighborhood dentist generously donated cash which initially allowed us to purchase stamps to 'get the ball rolling.' The local newspaper was contacted and donated space for the event, as well as agreed to list all donators. This was attractive to donators, many of whom then donated in exchange for 'advertising' space. 'Race kits' were put together from various organizations who donated information pamphlets (Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, Diabetes Association and many, many others). These race kits were full of health information and incorporated games, puzzles, and informational items. A newsletter was put together to outline the events of the day, again acknowledge our generous donators, and provide really interesting, entertaining information and this was also included in the kits. The bags themselves were donated by Reebok. All in all we had in excess of 40 separate donators of prizes and a multitude of donators of information. Thank you cards were sent out - prepared by moi and each individual in each class signed several.
Each child was served lunch at an Optimist (International) park adjacent to the school, the use of which was kindly dedicated for that period. Money for the food was donated by the proprietor of the local hardware store who specified he would like to allocate the money refreshments. The children received bananas, apples, apple or orange juice box, and whole wheat or white bagels with cream cheese, followed by freezie pops. The meal was prepared and distributed by parent volunteers and teachers.
Of the event itself, we had an outpouring of school spirit, led by the teachers and staff of the school and were extremely fortunate to have a principal who was dedicated to this event in this school year and who has committed to 9 more years.
We had 90 random door prizes (some for goods and materials but also tickets to movies, gift certificates for restaurants, entrance tickets to local provincial parks, and free rounds of golf etc.) and each child also received a 'participant' ribbon in his/her race kit. Winners also received 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons and were called up to the front of the school assembly for a hand-shake from the principal and to receive their ribbons in front of the rest of the school.
An informal survey was done after the event and almost all of the children asked stated they liked the rowing best followed by the banana bikes (probably because they were unique). The event was held on a Tuesday and for the remainder of the week many of the teachers went through each event in discussion time and planned projects around the event (I am a volunteer for grade 1 'printing' and the assignment for the week was to print a story about the day, what the children liked best, and what they did throughout the day and then to draw a representative picture). The teachers followed up on the event.
I was glad to be part of this and I truly believe that it will continue to grow and excel and become perfected over time. It was a learning opportunity and we do have some minor changes we will be making for the coming school year. I have no doubt in my mind that, at least for these children at this school, it will eventually become an event that will highlight the school year and may even become incorporated into the 'informal' school curriculum as a focal point of our day-to-day physical and mental health along with the running club which many children attend during cross-country season.
