Third graders from SDR, Nativity and Zion take part in annual event

On a day made for recreation, with a bright blue sky and a hint of summer warmth in the air, some 200 Rhinelander area third-graders took to the grounds of the YMCA of the Northwoods for the 8th annual Recreation Rodeo on May 8.

A circuit of six fun-packed challenges awaited them, collaborations of Rhinelander Partners in Education and a flock of supporting volunteers and organizations. From bicycle safety and maintenance, to self defense, aquatic safety, backpacking and hiking, and the rules of the road, the event had youngsters excited and engaged everywhere you looked. 

The Recreation Rodeo’s purpose is actually threefold, explained Mike Cheslock of Rhinelander PIE. It’s designed to get students thinking about recreation, safety and careers.

“Activities like biking and swimming introduce young people to outdoor recreation,” he said. 

“It’s also to get students thinking about safety while they’re recreating, so every student gets a bike helmet. There’s an aquatic safety station where they learn how to wear a life jacket and the importance of that when you’re boating and around the water.

“And then we’re also hopefully introducing our kids to different recreation careers. You know, people who work for the Y or people who are program directors or lifeguards or run a hiking store, those are careers that we want our students to be aware of.”

With students spending a memorable 15 minutes at each of the six stations, the different experiences and games make the Recreation Rodeo one of the highlights of the school year.

Ardith Carlton may be reached at [email protected].