Posts Tagged ‘swimming’

The Field Trip

Thursday, February 23rd, 2017

field trip

Sometimes you need to take the “Can Dos” on a field trip thought Miss Sue, the recreation center director.

The “Can Dos” were bored, bored, bored! It was the first day of winter recess; it was too cold to play outside. The snow and ice piles behind the recreation center were taller than them and were blocking them from riding their sleds down the best hill for sledding in all of “Can Do” Street. The ice skating rink was covered with snow and off limits.

They were tired of playing games in the recreation center gym. Even Annie was tired of shooting baskets! They had been having play dates with each other since Thursday, and they were starting to squabble with one another.

Miss Sue was running out of ideas on how to keep them busy. When she saw Grandpa Dooley in the music room, she went in and asked for his advice. “The Can Dos” are feeling all cooped up. They are not interested in any more board games, or playing basketball or volleyball in the gym tomorrow. How about a field trip, but where to go in winter?”

“Hmmm,” said Grandpa Dooley. “How much money do we have in the budget for a field trip?” Miss Sue answered,  “We canceled a trip because of the weather so far. We can afford a field trip. What do you have in mind?” Grandpa smiled, “Just leave it to me,” he said. “You call the parents and get their permission for the trip. Tell them we have a field trip planned for tomorrow, and it’s a surprise. Ask them to hide their Can Do’s bathing suit and a towel in his or her bag”.

The next day dawned cold and clear. It was perfect weather for a field trip. When the “Can Dos” arrived at the rec center they were told to keep their coats and hats on and line up outside for a surprise field trip. Hector wanted to know where they were going. Kathy called out, “What are we going to do?”

When the bus pulled out, and the rec center faded from view, Grandpa Dooley announced their destination. They were spending the day at the Boy Scout Camp in the next town. Some of their parents would meet the bus there to help with the day’s activities.

The “Can Dos” looked at each other and then exploded with questions. The first question Grandpa Dooley heard, over all the yelling, was from Hector. “What’s so good about going on a field trip where we have to be indoors at the Boy Scout Camp?”

Grandpa chuckled. How does a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods, followed by swimming in a heated pool, followed by lunch around the fireplace with storytelling sound to you?”

First there was silence and looks of amazement, and then the “Can Dos” broke out with a roar of cheering about the field trip.

 

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Summer Fun…Summer Safety

Thursday, June 23rd, 2016

School is out and summer fun is in!

The “Can Do” Kids love  summer but some of them don’t always practice summer safety.

Nellie and Annie are going to the beach with their friends from the recreation center but they forgot something…sunscreen. Should they ask Miss Sue, the director of the rec center who is taking them on the trip, if they can have some of her sunscreen?

The beach doesn’t have any shade and the sun hurts Annie’s eyes. Circle what she can do…Put on sun glasses…wear a hat with a brim.

Annie wants to play ball in the sand, but it is very hot, Should she keep her sandals on?   Circle what Annie should do…Yes…No.

Nellie wants to go into the water, but there is no life guard on duty. Should she go into the water, or should she wait until the life guard comes on duty?

Willie and Yundi love to fool around in the water Sometimes they play too rough. They hold each others’  heads under the water. Is this practicing summer safety?

summerYundi and Willie eat their lunches very fast and want to go into the water right after eating. Is this OK?summer

After swimming, Willie, Yundi, Annie and Nellie head up to to the boardwalk, but they don’t tell Miss Sue where they are going. In fact, they don’t get her permission to go. Is this practicing summer safety?

What should they have done? What would you have done?

Do you do things to be safe at the beach during the summer?

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Orrie Wants to Play a Sport

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

playing a sportOrrie wants to play a sport. What sports can he play from his wheelchair? Are there sports and activities he can do without his wheelchair?

All the other “Can Do” Kids play a sport and Orrie wants to play a sport too. He plays basketball with his dad in the back of his house but that’s not the same as being on a team and playing against other teams.

Orrie was sitting around with some of his buddies, asking them what they thought he could do.

Hector suggested that he talk to Coach Campbell about what other kids do who use a wheelchair and want to play a sport.

Orrie thought that was a good idea, so he wheeled himself down to coach’s office and made an appointment to see him. When he met with Coach Campbell he shared his feelings, saying, “I want to be like my friends. I want to play a team sport and have my family and friends come root for me.”

“Well Orrie,” said Coach Campbell, “I can understand your wanting to be like your friends and play a playing a sportsport but you need to like a sport if you hope to do well at it. Let’s talk about what sports you think you might like. Then we can talk about how you can try them out to see which one you really like.”

Orrie sort of nodded, then said, “First, I have to find out what sports I can play from my chair and where there are teams that play those sports.” Coach Campbell said, “Let’s begin at the beginning. Let’s take a look at what sports can be played from a wheelchair. Let’s invite our readers to pick out what sports can be played from a wheelchair.”

Help Orrie to play a sport by picking out the sports that kids who use wheelchairs can play. Circle the sports you think Orrie could play:

volleyball                basketball                   archery                 bowling                     hockey              shuffleboard

Answer – If you circled all the sports, you would be right!”

“Orrie,” said Coach Campbell, “Next time we get together I will have places we can visit to see these sports being played. We need to let you try out the ones that look good to you. We also need talk about sports that you can be part of out of your chair like horseback riding and competitive swimming.”

Orrie left Coach Campbell’s office feeling confident that he was going to get to play a sport.

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Water Safety

Friday, June 15th, 2012

water“Okay boys and girls,” said Coach Campbell, “Who can tell me the different water places you can swim and play in?”

Nellie raised her hand and said, “You can swim in the ocean.”Jay added,”You can swim in a lake, a pond or even a deep mountain stream.” Bobby called out,” You can swim  in a pool.”

“You are all right,” answered Coach Campbell. “Now let’s talk about being safe in these water areas.

First let’s talk about things we like to wear in the water that won’t keep you upright. They are fun, but won’t keep you safe. Here they are: Water wings, bubbles, and pool noodles .

What should you wear around the water? You need to wear a life jacket, that is  U.S. approved, appropriate for your size, fits snugly and is the correct type for you, your age, and what kind of water you will be near.

For instance, children and teens should wear a life jacket any time they are on a boat, raft, using an inner tube or swimming in open waters like lakes, rivers or the ocean.

Children under 5 years old should also wear a life jacket while in or near water. This includes while they are on a beach or dock.

Children between the ages of 6 and 11 should also wear a life jacket while standing on docks and swimming or water play in a river. Why, because they could accidentally fall in the water from the dock. Rivers have currents that can push and pull you along. They can have deep spots that you don’t know about. One minute you are able to stand in shallow water and a few steps later you are in over your head. A life jacket keeps you safe if that happens.”

The “Can Dos” all had thoughtful looks on their faces. Coach Campbell could see that some of them had not thought about some of the things he was saying.

“We know there should be no running or fooling around near a  pool, no diving , except where it says you can dive, and no holding one another underwater in a pool.

When we are at the ocean, we need to stay out of the water until a parent or other adult we trust can take us in the water. Waves can make it hard for children to stay upright. Wear a life jacket and only go in the water when the life guard is on duty and can see you.

Lastly, let’s talk about lake water swimming and play. Wear water shoes as they will protect you from sharp rocks and other things hidden on the bottom that can hurt your feet.

Swimming and water play are fun activities if we know how to keep safe. Don’t give your mom or dad a hard time about wearing a life jacket, or water shoes or making you observe water safety rules.

So be safe and have fun!”

Answers to Summer Safety Quiz

1. Sunscreen

2. Prevent tick bites

3. Water, boating, or on a dock

4. Water

5. When there is no lifeguard on duty

6. No

7. Helmet

8. Swim

9. Tell lifeguard or other adult

10. No!

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Summer Fun…Summer Safety

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Coach Campbell was already in the classroom when the “Can Do:” Kids arrived for the start of the school day. He greeted the students and asked that they take their seats so he could begin talking to them about summer safetpicture of coach campbell golding a clipboard and wearing a whistley.

“Summer is a wonderful time of the year,” said Coach Campbell. “A time for summer fun playing games, going swimming, riding bikes and skateboards, playing sports like baseball, going to camp and visiting friends and family. Summer is also a time when children who don’t practice summer safety rules can have accidents and wind up not having so much fun. So, let’s review some summer safety rules to be sure all of you have a great summer.”

The class all nodded. Coach began by reviewing water safety. He reminded the class to:

  • Learn to swim
  • Never swim alone
  • At the beach, pool or lake, never swim or even go into the water unless there is a life guard on duty
  • If you have a home pool, don’t go into the pool unless there is an adult there to watch over you
  • Don’t play rough in the water by holding someone’s head under water, or grabbing his or her legs
  • Wear a life jacket in a boat
  • Don’t use an inner tube or other inflatable device without an adult being near you

The “Can Do” Kids all nodded their heads to let Coach know they understood and would practice the water safety rules he shared with them.

Coach then moved onto safety rules for games, sports,  riding bikes, skateboards and scooters by reminding the class to:

  • Always wear a helmet when riding a bike, a scooter and a skateboard to prevent a head injury in case of a fall.
  • Don’t throw equipment around for others to trip on or get hit with during and after a game
  • Don’t ride your bike, skateboard, or scooter after dark
  • Don’t ride your bike, scooter or skateboard in street traffic, ride it in areas reserved for these biking, skateboarding and scooter riding.
  • When playing sports, use proper equipment, play safe and play fair

Coach ended his summer safety talk by wishing everyone a safe and fun summer.

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