Wheels Day!

One activity done at our school is Wheels Day. This is a special time during our summer camp for the campers to ride their bicycles, scooters, or in-line skates. It wasn't part of our initial camp schedule this year, but the returning campers love it so much that both older and younger kids requested it be reinstated. Being responsive to the kids' interests is one of the great things about our camp!

For safety's sake, we have several rules to follow. Of course, campers must wear a helmet and we encourage knee and elbow pads for skates and padded gloves for bikers. The parking lot is closed off with cones clearly marking the direction the course. For younger kids, it's helpful to use sidewalk chalk to mark directional arrows on the pavement. The traffic goes in one direction with stopping and dismounting areas clearly established with the riders. Our course works best with about eight to ten riders, so kids are usually divided into groups based on age. The groupings allow newer riders to practice without distractions and more experienced riders to go a bit faster. As I supervise this activity, I act as "traffic cop" slowing down speeders and breaking up traffic jams. I also help with spills and equipment repairs. Band-aids and paper towels are handy.

Campers bring out their water bottles and can rest in the shade any time they want. I provide another activity in the shade, like drawing or a puzzle, for those who get tired or didn't bring wheels. We usually blast the Disney radio station on the boom box. Even though our course is short and time limited, kids seem to get a kick out of riding with freinds, trying out jumps on the speed bumps, and maybe even showing off with no hands!