Kiwanis Club, Key Club looking forward to construction of giant obstacle course for kids
By Barry Yeakle
What do you do with 50 bales of straw once the party is over?
That is the question facing the Kiwanians of Whitley County. Kiwanis is a service club dedicated to service to children, and their All Kids Athletic Day features an obstacle course constructed of bales of straw. More straw will be used behind the targets to be used for archery instruction. That’s fifty bales altogether. Where to find new homes for them afterward is one of the unsolved questions of the new program.
But, that question aside, the committee planning the event is focused on maximizing fun during the event which begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, at DeVol Field. Already, 70 children have registered.
All Kids Athletic Day! is a new idea, original to the Whitley County Club and is funded by a generous grant from the Kiwanis International Foundation. In addition to the obstacle course and archery ranges, children will find relay races, slip’n slides,
trampolines, tug of war, and a short cross-country course which features a trot through the woods and over a wooden bridge, through a tunnel and up the famous 50 staircase at Baker Park. The archery range will be set up for both right and left handers.
The program is open to children ages 6-12. A healthy snack of fresh fruit and trail mix will be served at mid-day. Bottled water and sunscreen, gifts of Parkview Whitley Hospital, will be constantly available for the young athletes.
One boy and one girl from each age group who show the coaches a strong spirit to compete will win a Kiwanis hoodie embroidered with their name.
The coaching staff consists of twenty-two members of Columbia City High School’s Key Club. The coaches will guide teams of boys and girls, grouped by age, through the events.
Boys and girls competing may get dirty and are guaranteed to get wet, so old clothes are advised. Parents are welcomed to watch the four-hour event, or may drop their young athletes while they attend the JA Car Show downtown in Columbia City. Security will be present and in addition to being given an identification number, children will be matched with volunteers. Additional volunteers will be keeping an eye on things as well.
American Legion Post 98 and the Columbia City Department of Parks are partners in the program.
Pre registration is necessary. It’s free and may be done at B.E. Computers, Cards and Comics on the courthouse square. Questions about the program, or about how to become a Kiwanian can be answered by calling Barry Yeakle at 609-3286, or Linda Scott at 248-4322.