Walk raises funds, awareness for elementary school

The forest trails surrounding Ski Martock bustled with excited students from Windsor Forks Elementary Oct. 18 during the school’s Annual Walk-a-Thon.

Over 120 students joined teachers and parents to walk the 2km trail system at Martock during the sixth annual fundraising event.

Colin Yeliga is in his first year as physical education teacher at Windsor Forks. “This is a great event because not only do the students get out to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings, they’re learning about nature while staying active,” he said.

“It’s great exercise as it takes more than an hour to do the walk and it’s an important part of learning. It’s a good, clean, wholesome activity and sometimes you don’t realize just how beautiful something is until you are into it. And just getting out to enjoy a fantastic day is well worth the effort,” he said.

Tina Mumford-Kehoe teaches primary and has been involved in the walk since it began. Mumford-Kehoe said the event is one of the school’s largest fundraisers and is something students look forward to with enthusiasm.

“This is the big fundraiser of the year and we’ve done very well so far,” Mumford-Kehoe said. The final tally had not been completed at press time, but she noted support was substantial.

Funds raised are used for school trips, including user fees and other expenses, and each year students choose from a group of local charities and make a donation with a portion of the proceeds.

“The students pick the group they want to help out and it makes them feel good to be able to assist, plus it teaches them about giving back to the community,” she said.

Support has been great

Not only are teachers, parents and volunteers involved, but even former students. “The support for this has been great. We even have a former student who is now in Grade 10 come along today to help out because he remembers how much fun it was for him, and that’s a good feeling to know students don’t forget these events and want to help even after they are no longer with the school.”

Mumford-Kehoe said the walk gives students a chance to learn about nature while getting a good dose of physical exercise. “They’re so excited about it and have a lot of fun while learning about nature, plus it’s a way to bond with students. I think this has become accentuated because we’re a close-knit school and this really helps build school spirit as well,” she said. “The kids get to see each other in a different light and with the volunteers taking part, everyone benefits.”

Grade 5 student Sam Lake said she has been going on the walk since she started school and looks forward to it every year. “I love it. It’s fun to go around the trails, see nature and a lot more than we can see at our school grounds. I also like it because fall is my favourite time of year with all the changing colours and there’s so much to see here. It’s very exciting.”

Kids need to experience nature

Parent and EA sub Darlene Oickle experienced the walk for the first time this year. “I think this is so great because the kids love being here and they are so interested in every little thing. For them, a stick of wood is as valuable as a stick of gold would be for us adults,” she said.

“I feel too many students don’t get outside enough today and in too many cases are stuck inside with video games and TV. There’s a lot more to life than video games because there’s a whole other world outdoors waiting to be explored. What better environment is there than a place like this?”

Parent Lisa Bunin also went for the first time, as a chaperone. “Any time you can get kids out in nature it’s great.” Bunin said she has a book called Nature Deficit that details what children are missing by not exploring their natural surroundings.

“It doesn’t take a psychologist to notice kids are out of touch with nature. We’re surrounded by DVDs and video games and it’s estimated that 80 per cent of school kids have cell phones or iPods. We’re bombarded with electronic gadgets and I think this alienates kids from the outside and the natural world,” she said.

“Ironically the Internet’s target group is young children; if they can get them hooked early the interest in nature suffers greatly, and that’s wrong.”

Bunin is also a teacher and moved from Yellowknife after 10 years’ working in the north. “After that experience we really appreciate the sense of community that exists here. The teachers are very welcoming and open to suggestions – that’s what makes Windsor Forks so special as a school.”