Skiing

Today was the 7th and 8th grade ski trip to Bittersweet.  This is a PE field trip and all students are encouraged to go and participate.  Those who don't have activities at school planned, but I noticed this year that those who did not go chose to stay home instead. Since it is about an hour and forty-five minute trip one way to the ski lodge, we stay later than our normal school day.  Thus, the students have about four hours to ski.

I believe this is an awesome trip for the students.  Many only get to ski the four times they go with the school.  Others, like Meg, try it in fifth grade and are hooked for life.  Students who are new to skiing are given lessons and those who have been before are evaluated, so the ski patrol knows what hills they are allowed on.  Several of the teachers ski along side of the students and overall it is a great experience.

This year, however, I saw the flip side to the trip.  We had about twenty students who came on the trip and spent less than an hour on skis.  They came in for lunch, turned in the skis, and were done for the day even though there were three hours left.  Those of us who do not ski and are along to chaperone had to figure out what to do with these twenty students.  Several of them were really mad as they felt they should be allowed to just sit in the lounge and eat (which defeats the purpose of a PE field trip.)  We finally got most of them outside to sit by the fire and watch those that were skiing.

I approached one of the students at the end of the day.  She was extremely mad that she couldn't stay inside and play video games.  I talked with her for awhile about the purpose of a PE field trip and if skiing isn't the activity for her, then think of what would be and give me a list in the next few days.  By the end of the trip, she was back to her jovial self and I hope that she does come up with ideas.  I want all of the students to feel the way Meg and her friends did at the end of the day as I heard her exclaim, "This was the best field trip, ever!"