Although the doors to school are closed for the holidays, children throughout the Wood River Valley continue to embark on new experiences. Through the "Recess from School" program offered by the Blaine County Recreation District, valley youth discover fresh opportunities. School kids embrace new recreation activities, while counselors find rewarding experiences working with their younger peers.
"They get to experience some things they otherwise wouldn't," said Susie Wrentmore, the Rec District's community services director.
During the holiday break, the "Recess from School" programs offers affordable all day activities for kids in first through fifth grades. The offerings include such enriching activities as snowshoeing, skiing and ice-skating.
On Monday, Dec. 27 the program's participants ventured to the outdoor ice rink at Sun Valley. During the activity, Ian Mckenzie, 10 of Hailey, tried ice skating for the first time. Mckenzie's determination to skate the perimeter of the rink was accomplished with help from the program's teenage counselors.
The Recreation District hires teenage counselors from the valley to work with kids in the program. The teenagers are paid for their time and receive intangible rewards from working with the children.
"I like being with kids—it's just fun," said Ali Nilsen, a 15-year old counselor from Hailey.
The feelings are reciprocal.
"(The counselors) are fun and young, so they will do more fun stuff," Kelsey Rountree, 10, of Hailey, remarked.
The program builds relationships between valley youth of various ages. In addition, the activities foster an introduction to other Rec District offerings like the HUB youth activity center.
"It's an opportunity to build relationships with kids. Hopefully they will stay involved," Wrentmore said.
The "Recess from School" program introduces youth to recreational programming and to the rewards gained through working with children, which is not a recess from important life lessons.