Category Archives: Youth and Family

BGSU RecWell Recognizes Excellence

Student Development and Leadership Program, Student Employee Programming, Student Recreation Center, Youth and Family

The Department of Recreation and Wellness employs 200 to 300 BGSU Students each year. These students are all individuals who believe in RecWell programs and are passionate about their work. In order to continue the excellence these students offer to the program, it is critical to show them the recognition they deserve.

 

One of the most traditional ways RecWell implements recognition into the workplace is selecting an employee of the month. Students are chosen by the Student Employee Board each month. The board submits names of students they feel have earned this title, discuss the nominees and then vote.

 

Associate Director of Programs, Cathy Swick, explained students were chosen for this departmental honor. “Student Supervisors from every group in the department, Aerobics to Zamboni, nominate a student employee whom they feel deserves the recognition, then usually one student is chosen.”

 

So far this year, eight student employees have earned the Employee of the Month title.

 

September-Ellen Borer

October-Adie Heyne

November-Lindsay Helm

December-Jeremy Lewis, Mike Swartz, Rob Whitaker

January- Ryan Rampe

February- Kaitlyn Koby

 

Student Recreation Center Employee, Ellen Borer, discussed her reaction to receiving this honor. “To me, being awarded Employee of the Month means that hard work and completing assigned tasks pays off (in the delicious form of Cookie Jar), and that doing a little extra can make a big difference.”

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When named Student of the Month, students receive a certificate that reads “Employee of the Month”, their name and picture on the RecWell web site, and the student favorite: a gift certificate to The Cookie Jar.

 

Lindsay Helm, SRC Employee, explained how nice it is to be recognized. “As a student worker, a lot of the time it feels like you are assigned the grunt work,” she said. “It is an honor to receive this award, because it makes you feel appreciated for all of the hard work you put in to the high standards of the department.”

Lindsay Helm Nov. 2009 Employee of the Month

While Employee of the month is a monthly incentive program, there are other incentives that encourage students to work hard on a daily basis. Incentives such as Rec Bucks, the Student Development and Leadership Series and end of the semester banquets ensure that students receive the recognition they deserve year round.

 

The Department of Recreation and Wellness is extremely proud of the student staff. “Our students tend to go above and beyond,” said Swick. “We are very lucky.”

BGSU has Big Plans for Ice Arena

Ice Arena, Youth and Family

In the 1960’s BGSU planned to expand when the Board of Trustees approved the construction of a building that would “improve and advance the health and physical education program on campus.” This building opened in 1967 and is known as the BGSU Ice Arena.

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Since then, the BGSU Ice Arena has brought opportunity for both students and the community of Bowling Green. Whether it is ice skating, hockey, curling, or other physical education activities, the Ice Arena is home to many different recreational and competitive activities.

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Student Staff Spring 2009 001-1

Over the years the Ice Arena has undergone numerous renovations and expansions making it stand out from other arenas around the area. This year, BGSU has big plans to improve and expand facilities. The complete renovation includes:

  • New ice plant (including new compressors, chillers, dehumidification system(s) and boilers)
  • New lighting over the Main Ice (three times stronger than the current lighting)
  • New roof and gutter system
  • Masonry cleaning
  • Conversion of the Curling Ice to “multi-purpose” ice with boards, glass, and netting for hockey/skating while maintaining three curling lanes
  • Renovation of current locker rooms with benching, paint and skate tread
  • Addition of four new locker rooms on the footprint of the current Studio Ice

Director of the Ice Arena, Jeff Crawford, emphasized how beneficial these renovations are to BGSU. “These improvements make our facility viable and bring us, the BGSU Ice Arena, in line with other facilities in and around Ohio,” he said.

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The Ice Arena is a significant part of the Bowling Green community. It is home to many skating greats such as Scott Hamilton, Alissa Czisny, and Ken Morrow. The University eagerly anticipates this renovation and has high hopes of the new arena.

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The last day of operation for the 2009-2010 seasons is on March 28th. The Ice Arena is scheduled to reopen in late summer. For more information, or to contribute to the renovation click on the “Bring Back the Glory” tab on The Department of Recreation and Wellness Web Site.

Make a Splash with RecWell’s Learn to Swim

Aquatics, Learn to Swim, Youth and Family

According to the USA Swimming Foundation, nine people drown each day in the United States. With warmer months on the horizon, water lovers should understand the techniques and safety of how to swim before making the plunge.

Recreation and Wellness’ Learn to Swim program provides community members with an opportunity to take part in swim lessons designed for varying ages and skill levels. Swimmers, ages six months to adult with a skill level of beginner to advanced, will be taught by fully trained certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors.

The program is divided into three different lesson types. Small Group lessons are designed for younger children. The lesson holds a minimum of four participants and a maximum of six. If the class does not meet the minimum number of participants it is cancelled, and private or semi-private lessons are recommended to those still interested.

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Semi-Private lessons and Private lessons are also offered. These lessons are scheduled by appointment only. Semi-Private lessons are specialized and intensive lessons for ages three and up. This quick pace lesson instructs two to three previously assembled participants that demonstrate a similar skill level. Private lessons are similar to Semi-Private lessons, but are strictly one-on-one.

The program uses different activities for different lessons. For the younger participants, the program focuses on fun in water with activities such as water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating and underwater exploration. As children progress they will begin to explore the water through floating, submerging, kicking skills, and strokes.

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The cost for each lesson varies by the type of lesson, the number of lessons, and whether or not the participant is a Student Recreation Center member.

It is important that people take swim lessons seriously. Simply acquiring basic skills can help in preventing serious accidents. Aquatics Student Supervisor Allyson Ruebusch stressed the significance of the Learn to Swim program and how it can be extremely beneficial to the community.

“The number of people who do not know how to swim is staggering. Thousands of swim related tragedies happen every year that could have easily been prevented by just a few lessons,” said Ruebusch.

Swimming can be a fun and healthy activity for people of all ages. However, it is very dangerous if one is not well prepared. The Learn to Swim program offers experience and expertise that can help you or your child learn potentially life saving skills that you will have for the rest of your life.

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For small group lessons participants may register at the front desk of the Student Recreation Center or call 419.372.2000. For private lessons contact Micha Seither, smicha@bgsu.edu.

I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a BGSU Kid.

Fitness, Student Recreation Center, Student Wellness Network, Wellness Connection, Youth and Family

Now, more than ever the pressure to become an adult at a younger age can really take a toll on students. The transition from painting toenails and playing video games to cramming for tests and working extra hours to make rent can be a tough one for college students. Imagine setting all adulthood worries aside and acting like a kid again. Now is your chance.

Last year’s Big Playground Event

The Department of Recreation and Wellness is hosting the 12th annual BIG Playground event. The event will be held on Friday, February 26th at the Student Recreation Center from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

BIG Playground is a late night alternative event. The event’s purpose is to show students there are healthy alternatives to a good time rather than drinking and partying. Activities include an inflatable obstacle course and jousting, two caricatures, a giant slide, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, a live DJ, sex olympics, disabled vision goggles, prizes and food.

Health Educator, Caitlin Spontelli explained how the event offers a fun and healthy learning environment. She said every year students respond positively to BIG Playground. “They enjoy having a night to let loose, meet new people, and release their inner child,” explained Spontelli. About 1,000 students participate each year.

BIG Playground is free to BGSU students with student ID and only $6.00 for guests. The first 100 people receive a free t-shirt. Don’t let the chance of indulging in your favorite youthful activities pass you by. Come to BIG Playground and be a kid again, guilt free! Call 419.372 WELL (9355) for more information.

The lost tee-shirt: Spring 2001 Intramural Soccer Champions

Intramural Sports, Youth and Family

It was spring 2001 the year my teammates and I took home the indoor soccer intramural championship. It was a game to remember as we were neck and neck with the International team all the way down to the wire. I scored several goals that game and thoroughly enjoyed the victory. I especially looked forward to receiving my intramural champions tee-shirt. I received the shirt with honor, however, it was only a couple weeks before my shirt turned up missing. It’s been 7 years since I’ve lost that shirt so I am hoping this community blog will bring it back to me. If anyone knows where I can get one, please contact me. It was a day of great honor taking home the championship in 2001, and hopefully I can someday find a spring 2001 intramural champions shirt to remember it by.