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FALL
ACTIVITIES
By Gerry
Cernicky
 The
entire premise
for fall activities is to get outside
and just do something, whether
that be in your neighborhood or any
place that provides proper facilities.
The P.E. teacher should provide information
and teach skills through developmentally
appropriate activities, and the information/activities
should serve as an impetus
to get students excited and interested
in physical education.
At this time
of year, across the country there are
many and different seasonal changes.
The temperatures throughout each state
differ, and opportunities for seasonal
activities provide many experiences
and challenges. An incentive should
always exist to keep students excited
to learn about fitness for a lifetime,
as excitement and motivation are valuable
assets in the learning process. This
will give them the enthusiasm to find
activities they can enjoy the rest of
their lives, well beyond the school
years.
There are
many agencies at the national, state,
and local levels that will interest
not only students, but the whole family.
The hardest part is getting out to do
it. Because of this, the physical educator
will have to combine what is learned
in P.E. class with family activities
that can be done at home.
A first step
may be a fitness
calendar, which students take home
and complete each day and returned to
the PE instructor. This involves the
family in activities using either original
or makeshift/home-made equipment. The
monthly calendar serves as a 'driving
force' to help keep students interested
in lifelong health and fitness pursuits.
Outdoor adventures
during the fall, with all the amazing
color changes and possible activities,
can help promote wonderful experiences
for students and their family. A visit
to national or state parks offers chances
to engage in vast arrays of activities
that can include hiking/walking,
biking,
canoeing,
kayaking,
caving,
zip
lining, and photography. The U.S.
has beautiful national
parks, with breath-taking views,
that can get your heart pumping through
many exhilarating activities.
Below is
a list of some great national parks:
• Acadia
- Maine
• Great
Smoky - North Carolina and Tennessee
• Glacier
- Montana
• Shenandoah
- Virginia
• Yosemite
- California
• Denali
- Alaska
• Capital
Reef - Utah
• Yellowstone
- Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
• Big
Bend - West Texas, Colorado
• Voyaguers
- Minnesota
• Mount
Rainier - Washington
• Cuyahoga
- Ohio
• Guadalupe
- west Texas
• Rocky
Mountain - Colorado
In a national
survey the Grand
Canyon was rated as the best national
park for families, and the best hiking
adventure was the Smoky
Mountain range. There are many state
level organizations and programs that
provide activitie opportunities for
both students and their families. An
example, in Pennsylvania there is an
organization named Venture
Outdoors, which provides hiking,
kayaking, biking, rock
climbing, and walking tours throughout
the city and neighborhood.
 Activities
include geocaching,
cruiser
bikes, fishing,
climbing
wall, and adventures that involve
guide work, gear/equipment, scavenger
hunts, orienteering,
pedometers,
GPS
units, and compasses.
This allows students to learn about
problem solving, self esteem, and teamwork.
On the local
level, in Allegheny County near Pittsburgh,
there is a Wise
Walk program sponsored by the (28)
libraries that involve walking groups
under the auspices of AARP and Highmark
hospital in their People Able to Lend
Support (PALS)
program. The Wise Walk program is in
its fourth year, and is geared to increase
physical activity while providing a
social outlet. The Highmark PALS
program ties in with the Wise
Walk program with the mission of
keeping people healthy through wellness
and prevention. The participants are
given pedometers to track their steps.
One walker stated, "The more steps
we have, the farther we can go on the
map." She pointed to the Grand
Canyon, a journey of more than 4 million
steps; and Disney World, a journey of
2 million steps. (calculated)
There are
charity walks and races
that can provide a healthy community
activitie for all participants. Usually
these are sponsored by hospitals, banks,
sporting goods stores, and radio/TV
stations.
The environment
and outdoor adventures are vital components,
not only for fitness, but for a sense
of pride in school and the community.
By being an actual participant, the
P.E. teacher provides leadership needed
to motivate others to participate.
 Many
times, before activities and expeditions
can be taken, it is important to be
educated on all applicable rules in
order to have a safe experience. In
a kayaking excursion on the Allegheny
River in Pittsburgh, each attendee must
take a brief safety course before entering
the water. This is under the auspices
of Venture
Outdoors, which usually has three
guides to make sure the water is safe
to travel. Before participants ever
enter the water, a teacher goes over
the proper techniques for holding the
paddle and maneuvering the kayak. The
entire experience is meant to improve
wellness and develop a healthy lifestyle.
Some of my
most satisfying experiences is to participate
in activities at Ohiopyle
State Park, which is a mecca for
watercraft and white water enthusiasts.
There is a 27 mile bike and hike trail,
which has won many awards for its beauty,
mountain experiences, and leisure activities.
But the park has so much more to offer
- such as hiking, biking, and rafting.
Biking activities can be arranged by
various recreational organizations -
such as Venture
Outdoors. Before venturing out on
a trail the guide teaches the basics
of safety, along with how to change
a tire, and first aid for any accidents.
The Great
Allegheny Passage is suitable for
all ages and accessible for people with
disabilities. The trail can also be
used for hiking, jogging, and cross
country skiing.
Hiking in
the Great
Smoky Mountains is an exhilarating
experience, but before that experience
can be taken it is important to know
and follow safe procedures. Make sure
that the hike is with a friend or family
member. If not, it is important to tell
someone when the hike started and the
expected time back. Always check the
weather forecast as it can change often,
so make sure to take extra outer wear.
Good hiking boots are critical to prevent
blisters. If the hike is long, it would
be prudent to bring a flash light and
a snack. A cell phone should be taken
for any emergencies. There should be
an ample supply of fluids, such as water,
tea, or natural juices. Always stay
on the path for the marked trails, and
when in doubt turn back.
Outdoor
adventures may be lead by outfitters
and guides, and the adventures can be
for individual or family outings. Enjoying
these experiences will mean having safe
strategies for a variety of instructional
and recreational pursuits.
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