“I know I’m fast, but Shayden is a little faster,” second-grader Kaden explained while eating his lunch. His Lunch Bunch was discussing the upcoming Ninja Warrior Challenge: an annual field day fundraising event for Pagosa Peak Open School where students strap on headbands and tennis shoes, and run an intense obstacle course for their best time.
This was the first year PPOS students went off-campus for the event. Parent and staff volunteers collected materials from the school and from CrossFit Pagosa, setting up the course at Yamaguchi Park on Thursday, May 12. All students grades K-8 were shuttled to the park, after raising $ $10,605 for their school through online donations.
Students now had the chance to run the course for prizes and fun.
“This event was a great way to get our students outside and promote our school values of Whole and Healthy Humans and Community,” explained PPOS School Director Angela Reali-Crossland. “At PPOS we believe we are at our best when we are supported socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. Today our students were provided the opportunity to be active and connect with each other in our community. We are grateful to our PPOS PTA; especially Abbie Karas, for organizing this day.”
Karas designed the course, organized volunteers and managed the communication for fundraising.
“It was a great way to get involved and support the school while having fun with the kids,” Karas said. “We are grateful to Crossfit Pagosa for letting us borrow equipment to make it a real challenge for everyone participating.”
