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Adrenaline Climbing Club Great for Youth Fitness

Outdoor Program
Youth Ascending Wall
A climber adjusts his footing before ascending further up the wall.

Class with the ACC Climbers

Last week, I decided to attend an Adrenaline Climbing Club (ACC) class and snap some pictures. These classes were designed to mentally, socially and physically develop youth climbers, ages eight and up, and to refine and enhance their climbing skills. During this session, climbers practiced tying figure eight knots, proper stalling, footing and hand placement, and climbing using a belay.

Allison Henderson, mother to climber Paul, 12, said that besides climbing’s obvious health benefits, the class is simply fun and very informative for aspiring climbers.  She said the ACC provides students with technical knowledge that other climbing organization’s require but do not teach.

ACC assistant climbing instructor, Eric Peterson, has been an outdoors man for several years and instructing climbing classes enables him to share his passion for the sport with others. Climbing, he said, is more of lifestyle that teaches self-control and knowledge of one’s physical self by challenging climbers mentally and physically.

“The ACC gives youths a chance to be active and learn about a sport that is not readily accessible in this part of the country,” said Peterson. “By joining the ACC these students get to try something pretty cool and learn some amazing skills that they would not normally be exposed to in a standard, school, physical education program.”

The class began at 4:00 p.m. sharp and the eager climbers anxiously changed into the proper climbing footwear. Peterson began class with a demonstration on how to tie a figure eight knot. According to Peterson, this knot paired with the strength of the climbing ropes could easily lift a truck up a mountainside. Afterwards, climbers practiced the tying the figure eight while Peterson supervised and corrected any mistakes.

The class’s second stage provided students with a fun, climbing activity. Peterson began to ask the class which game they would prefer to play, however, his question was almost immediately interrupted by excited climbers yelling, “the Penny Game!” Obviously, Peterson could not argue with their adamant requests and he sent the climbers behind a wall as he hid a penny in the crevices of the rock wall grips. Once the penny was hidden, climbers were summoned from behind the wall to search for the hidden coin.  When the game was over, students were permitted to free climb without the use of belays as long as they stayed below the long, red line dividing the rock wall.

Goodwin and Peterson give students a lesson on proper climbing techniques when using belays.
Goodwin and Peterson give students a lesson on proper climbing techniques when using belays.

Afterwards, climbing manager, Lillian Goodwin, 22, joined Peterson to demonstrate proper procedures for belay climbing. Goodwin then volunteered herself to ascend the wall as Peterson guided her from the ground. To end the demonstration, the instructors switched positions and Goodwin guided Peterson’s ascent.

Goodwin has been a climbing instructor for nearly two and a half years and has been climbing for seven. She is very passionate about climbing because it combines exercise, discipline and problem solving into a single activity she said. In terms of youths climbing in ACC classes, she said the sooner the better.

“The ACC is able to get children excitred about climbing at an early age which helps them learn healthy exercise habits and a fun new skill,” said Goodwin. “By beginning to climb at a younger age there is definitely an advantage as opposed to someone who starts at 20. Children tend to have a better strength to weight ratio, so once they obtain the muscle memory and technique, they get strong fairly quickly. “

Those interested in enrolling their children into the Adrenaline Climbing Club must mail their completed application to the BGSU Outdoor Program office at Bowling Green State University Recreation and Wellness Outdoor Program 104, Perry Field House, Bowling Green, OH, 43403.

For more information concerning registration policies, cost, session dates or class description should visit the Outdoor Program’s website.  For further inquiries, please contact the program director, Jerome Gabriel, at 419.372.8044 or email him at OutdoorPro@bgsu.edu.

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Picture of the Blogger About the Blogger

Hi everyone! My name is Shena Stayden. I am a senior majoring in public relations and I am due to graduate in May. I am the   new
public relations intern for the department and this is my first blog! Your feedback is warmly welcomed and I look  forward to  reading
your comments.

 

Youngsters grasp skating fundamentals

Aquatics
Instructor Katie Chicotel catches young skater just before he falls.

Learning to skate

The Learn to Skate classes are designed to give eager skaters a solid foundation of skills to use at their disposal. Participants have a variety of options to choose from after developing a strong understanding of the basics. Skaters can choose to engage in competitive ice sports like figure skating and ice hockey or they may decide to simply enjoy what they’ve learned while skating recreationally. Either way, skating is a great opportunity for participants to get fit and have fun.

Karissa Matson, Northen Michigan University senior and  Ice Arena Intern, said, “The best part of Learn to Skate, is when people realize that ice skating has changed from a dream to a hobby.”

The first class began with a meet-and-greet in the middle of the rink. The intructors were enthusiastic in their introductions which ultimately created a ripple effect in the children’s excitement. After they were properly introduced, the intructors split the group of young skaters into two segments: backward skating, balance and stopping and forward skating, balance and stopping.

The second class was also a beginners skate but was for older children. The class’s routine was identical to the first class’s with the meet-and-greet and class division. What I saw in this class, however, gave me a newfound and richer appreciation for the Learn to Skate classes. The eldest skater was nearing his teen years and it was his first time on the ice. He looked bashful at first because the other skaters were more experienced than him but the instructors immediately responded to the situation. One instructor gripped the boy around the shoulders and enthusiastically introduced him as a new skater to the rest of the class. Then one instructor guided the rest of the class away as the other stayed behind with the young man for some one-on-one coaching.

The instructor, Katie Chicotel, 20, American Culture Studies major, was very patient with the new skater and kept giving him tips and words of

Instructors and students gather in the middle of the rink before class begins.

encouragement as he made his way around the rink. It was, I’m sure, a great experience for the boy, but it was for me as well. Granted I was only observing the class but it made me smile watching him learn to skate for the first time. And most importantly, he was given instant support by the instructors and class which makes for a great first-ever skate.

There is obviously a common love and desire to be on the ice among pupils and instructors. Chicotel’s love for skating began when she was eight years old and she has been on the ice ever since. She has been a Learn to Skate instructor for the past four years. Her passion for the sport itself and her belief that interested young children can keep the sport thriving inspired her to become an instructor. Moreover, she said skating is just plain healthy.

“Skating is beneficial to children mostly because it it fun and they have a blast learning new tricks on the ice. Not only do kids love it but skating is great exercise and a good way for children to build strong, healthy bodies.” said Chicotel.

Anyone interested in enrolling themselves or their children in Learn to Skate classes should call Laura Dunn, Ice Arena Assistant Director, at 419-372-8686 or e-mail her at dunnle@bgsu.edu for more information. Also, check out the department’s website for scheduling, class description, and registration information.

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About the Blogger

Hi everyone! My name is Shena Stayden. I am a senior majoring in public relations and I am due to graduate in May. I am the      new public relations intern for the department and this is my first blog! Your feedback is warmly welcomed and I look  forward to  reading your comments.

Great Turn Out at Learn to Swim Class

Aquatics

Youngsters learn to swim

On Saturday I walked over to the Rec and snapped a few photos of the Learn to Swim class. IT WAS SO FUN! Everyone was excited to be there. The parents were helpful and involved. The instructor was great and the children were very enthusiastic.
“I took swim classes ’cause I don’t know how to swim. I think it’ll be fun. I’m excited.” said Learn to Swim student Colin Campbell, 6.
The swim instructor, Jenna Teitenburg, 19, loves teaching swim class and was all smiles as she helped her students learn the basics. This was a level one class so the main goal was to teach the youngsters to feel comfortable in the water. The class lasted 30 to 45 minutes and the children learned so much. They learned how to blow bubbles, dunk their heads underwater, hold their breath, float and find things on the bottom of the pool.
Sophomore marketing major, Jenna Teitenburg, 19, has been teaching swim lessions since she was 14 years old.
“My favorite part about being a swim instructor is seeing how much progress the kids have made.” said Teitenburg. “I’ve taught kids from preschool up to level six and its such a rewarding job to see them succeed in swimming.”
All in all, everyone had fun on Saturday. The parents walked away smiling and the children left with a newfound understanding about the importance of swimming.
“People don’t think about how often they could potentially be exposed to water throughout their lives.” said Micha Alt, assistant director of the aquatics department. “Being able to swim gives them a leg up. Learning to swim will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
If you have children and are interested in enrolling them in the University’s Learn to Swim classes, please contact the Aquatics Department at (419) 372-2000 or just drop by the front desk at the Student Recreation Center. They will be happy to talk with you and get you started. If you want to find out more about the Learn to Swim classes please visit their web site.
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About the Blogger

Hi everyone! My name is Shena Stayden. I am a senior majoring in public relations and I am due to graduate in May. I am the new public relations intern for the department and this is my first blog! Your feedback is warmly welcomed and I look  forward to reading your comments.

Students Invited to Join Sport Clubs

Blogroll, Sport Clubs

Sport clubs are an integral part of Recreation and Wellness for BGSU students.  Freshmen are invited to a special Welcome Fair on Wednesday, August 24, where a representative from each sport club is on hand for students to learn more about what their respective club offers.  Other students can attend Campus Fest on September 1 and receive information on sport clubs.

There are currently twenty-three active sport club teams on campus including baseball, bowling, curling, cycling, dodgeball, equestrian, gymnastics, men’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, men’s rugby, women’s rugby, sailing, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s softball, tennis, track and field, men’s ultimate Frisbee, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, water polo and wrestling.

“More than 500 students are involved annually in sport clubs over the last couple years,” said Scott Sehmann, assistant director – intramurals/sport clubs. “Sport club teams are equally as large as the varsity teams.  They have all been thriving lately and we are pretty happy with the growth.”

A student participates in sport clubs for a variety of reasons.  Some students, who were very good high school athletes, want to continue playing their sport, but not at the varsity level.  They like the competitiveness and want to continue working out.  A sport club gives students an opportunity to compete against other universities in organized leagues with officials, in a structured program, with practice only two or three days a week.  Sport clubs’ athletic level is in between intramurals (more recreational and little practice) and varsity sports in athletic commitment.  Students who participate in a club sport benefit by gaining leadership and organizational skills. They have more structure to their lives, have an opportunity to travel and meet students from other universities. These athletes continue to stay fit, are in shape and have a competitive spirit.

There are many popular sport clubs. “Men’s rugby is one of the popular sport clubs which placed third in the nation this year,” said Sehmann.  “The equestrian team is three years old and growing with around fifty participants. Baseball has a good size as well.”

All sport clubs are student organizations and must be registered with the Office of Campus Activities.  Required forms must also be completed with the Department of Recreation and Wellness. To be eligible for membership, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in at least 10-credit hours or a graduate/non-traditional student must be enrolled in 6-credit hours.  Each club needs at least ten active members with a faculty or staff advisor.  Existing clubs may not be duplicated.   However, if a student would like to organize a new sport club, he/she must petition to become a student organization.  Based on the activity, competitiveness and safety level, a decision is made to be an acceptable new sport club.

Sehmann cautions all sport club teams regarding the importance of leadership within the club.  The leadership team comprising of the president, vice president, treasurer, safety coordinator and travel trip leader must continually bring in new and younger students into the program and train those individuals to carry on the program tradition.  The annual change in leadership roles is necessary for the success of the sport club organization.

For additional information see the Recreation and Wellness Resource Guide, visit www.bgsu.edu/recwell, or contact Scott Sehmann at sehmans@bgsu.edu or 419-372-2464.

More Ice Arena Renovations Set to Begin

Blogroll, Renovation, Youth and Family

Skaters look forward to the ice arena reopening on July 18 to continue with the Learn to Skate program or just to cool off from hot summer days.  At the same time, skaters may witness an aesthetic transformation of key areas inside the ice arena. The bids for the renovations arrived June 1 and the projected starting date is July 1. The completion date of the entire project is anticipated to be mid-September.

To be completed during this phase is a new skate shop, skate rental, concession stand and office space. Quite noticeable for individuals who enter the updated ice arena is the creation of a new pedestrian traffic flow.  The public may find the space more inviting by easily being able to browse the skate shop and buy food or drink from the concession stand.  The ice arena staff want their facility to be more customer friendly and allow those who come into the building to feel more welcome.

The completed concession stand is to have a small kitchen area. The foods offered include hotdogs, pizza, nachos and pretzels, with soft drinks, water and PowerAde beverages.  “We are going to try some other food items and see what works and what doesn’t work,” said director of the ice arena Jamie Baringer. “Breakfast food items are planned as a healthier alternative and in competition with fast food restaurants.”  All foods at the concession stand are planned for quick service.

New space is being created for offices to be in close proximity to the main entrance and each staff member. This new office area is where the current skate shop is occupied. Additionally, the ticket window booth is expanding into an open office area. “The new office arrangement is conducive for a better working environment,” Baringer said.

The updated skate shop is to continue marketing clothing apparel such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and skate related items for purchase. For the skate rental area, 500 pairs of brand new Riddell skates have been ordered. The current skates at the skate rental have hundreds of miles on them and it is time for their retirement. “The old skates are being sent to inventory and disposed of as how they see best,” said staff assistant Laura Dunn. “They gave us their loving use, but are now so bad that they have become a liability.”

Old rental skates

Approximately one-third of the skates ordered are hockey skates. Some skaters feel they are more comfortable, easier to skate with or they just want to be on hockey blades.  Figure skates are exceedingly more popular at BGSU with around 335 pairs purchased.  Learn to Skate programming starting with youth size six skates through adult size skates is a determining factor.  However, there are two types of figure skates – the traditional skate and the recreational skate.  The skating industry is leaning toward the recreational skate for rentals. Recreational skates are a soft-side skate, so it fits more like a tennis shoe.  “If individuals are placed in recreational skates, they can ease into skating a little better,” said Baringer. “They may be hooked into life-long skaters if the skate feels comfortable.”

Skaters who come to the ice arena this summer are going to watch it transform into a user friendly facility. They get to observe firsthand the progress of the improvements.  The updates are creating a more enjoyable experience for all visitors of the ice arena.

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