May 11th, Fit Kids Day 2

ABS Fit Kids 

Day 2 

Sprits were high as the sun shined brightly on us this afternoon and the temperature neared the low 60's. Members came off the bus with great excitement and we quickly broke them all into their Fit Kids Club groups. 

The groups are an important key in keeping us all together while we are on the trails. We can get a quick indication using these buddy groups wither we are missing anyone and if on the off chance someone is missing we can locate the area in which they might have been dislodged from the group quickly so we can all be reunited very quickly.

How it works is the members of the group can walk with their friends that might be outside of their safety group. However, they need to keep members of the groups with in sight of each other. So when a whistle blows they can quickly gather together and await instructions. We practice this on several occasions before we actual ventured onto the trails and could see already how quickly we can give information to each other by passing messages backwards and forwards amongst the groups. 

It also gave myself and the other adults involved the ability to see the students that are the older ones with in their group taking on leadership roles. Already we are seeing some students doing some great team work. 

One group was great on having their leader checking in within her group on several occasions while walking on the trail and another member of the same group being a great sport in lugging all of her teammates water bottles. 

For me I learned that I should have gotten in a bit of better shape before taking the lead! hahaha.. I started to get my second wind as we started to get towards the end of the hike, but I was so impressed with how wonderful the members of our Fit Kids Club were in being patient with all of the different abilities of physical fitness we all brought to the group. 

What I find especially wonderful when hiking on the trails with our Fit Kids Club members is the conversations that develop amongst myself and the other members of the club. The freedom of being outdoors seems to allow a sense of comfortableness over come each of the members as they discuss with myself, the other adults and with in their peers. About different aspects of their lives and things they are generally interested in. They also give their thoughts about stuff that takes place at school and their general perspective of life. 

Thank you parents/guardians in signing out each of your child/children. Since the location of the Warming Hut can be reached by different routes it's so important to make sure we see each member leave with their ride. For students that live on the mountain, I don't mind releasing them with out a parent/guardian present so long as I have prior knowledge before hand. So please shoot me an email just stating your child has permission to leave the Warming Hut at 5pm and to walk home either to the Mountain Edge Condos or the Windsor Building. 

Another important reminder, we do not have the ability to return students to the school for FLC. If you encounter transportation issues that arise after dismissal at ABS. Please send me an email or you can text me the change in plans to my cellphone at 802-291-2370. I am NOT good about picking up the phone to talk, so texting is generally the best thing to do, or if you do happen to call please leave a message and I will give you a  call back. 

Email address again is annalise.ennis@wsesu.net . Other adults on the mountain during Fit Kids Club is Andrea Powell andrea.powell@wsesu.net. Jenifer Aldrich is also on the mountain during Fit Kids Club, however she doesn't get cellphone reception. 

*We are still looking for Parent, Guardian, Young Adult volunteer help! To join us at 3pm Tuesday and Thursday (for the month of May) and just Tuesdays (starting in June) at the Warming Hut to join us in our Fit Kids Adventures. We welcome community members, older siblings and former ABS alumni. Even if you can't join us for many sessions, thats no big deal. It would just be great for all of us, members and adults. To extended friendships beyond just ABS staff. 

Also, young adults, who are currently in Middle School and High School, volunteering at ABS Fit Kids Club can be used towards your community service hours that a majority our area high schools require you complete before you can graduate from high school. 

JUNE 20th- that is the last day of school for the 2016/2017 school year. It's a half day, students will be bused up to the mountain and we will hike from 12:30-till 3pm. Perhaps we might even make it up to the top of the mountain? Following our hike we will be back at the Warming Hut around 3pm. At 3pm I welcome families to join us for a celebration. We will have snacks, like watermelons and possibly ice cream sandwiches. If parents want to join us for the hike that would be wonderful. If you have a child that hasn't been a part of Fit Kids they are more then welcome to join us. They just need to come with either a parent/guardian or older sibling to watch them. 

Also we are always looking for donations, like healthy snacks (i.e granola bars etc), bottled water or snacks to go towards the June 20th celebration. Also if anyone is able, finical donations would be gladly welcome to go towards prizes and possibly Fit Kids Club t-shirts or hats.