Gearing up for Fitness
What happens when you pair up students with bicycles? The beginning of a healthy hobby! Last year, the Club YES After School Program staff attended trainings for the Bicycle Event for the Fit for Life Triathlon. This was a first step in teaching over 100 students about safety skills and intricate bicycle maneuvers. While training for the event, students also learned about the history of the Olympics through one of the many project based units provided during the after school hours.
Here’s what students, staff and parents have to say about preparing for the Bicycle event:
v "On my bike I have the look of a winner!" -Miguel Quezada at Wilson Middle School, Chowchilla
v "I wish I had bike. Club YES provides me with one. I wish triathlons could be everyday. The emotion that I get when participating in the triathlon is indescribable, I feel like a true Olympian when I train in club YES." -Ashlee Garcia at Pershing Elementary, Madera
v "Having the opportunity to teach the kids about fundamentals of biking has been a great pleasure from having the kids hopping on the bikes to teaching them the ABC check, and properly pump air on tires has been quite a rewarding experience." -Club YES Staff
v "As a concerned parent, the Club YES idea of the triathlon is great! It educates our kids about being team players and not being bullies." -Ron Montoya, Parent.
Besides the competition, the community was invited to bring their bicycles to the Fit for Life Triathlon and participate in the Bicycle Safety Course hosted by the Optimist Club of Madera. The Optimists also registered bicycles, to ensure quick return to youth in case of theft. 34 lucky students left the Triathlon with bicycles and helmets provided by the Optimists of Madera for the Fit for Life Raffle.
