SCOTTSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Scottsdale Schools operate the Grand Canyon Trekkers program as a self sustaining program which is implemented only in schools which provide volunteers to manage the program on site. Program materials and program guidance are provided by Scottdale Healthcare. Volunteers are encouraged to help with the few needy schools in the district.

In 2006-7, KSS sponsored the Grand Canyon Trekkers Program implementation in 3 needy schools in the district. The program established a walking club at three schools to motivate kids to walk the trails of the Grand Canyon at lunch recess on a pre-marked path around the playground for 3-5 days a week for 12 weeks each fall and each spring.
2006-2007 Grand Canyon Trekkers Program

3146 students participated in the program with 244 in the evaluation group.

 

Results/Impacts:

  • Preliminary results show that more than 3146 school aged students participated in Grand Canyon Trekkers and a total of approximately 20,000 miles were walked (19463.7) Approximately 75% of the students that were expected to participate walked a minimum of 5 miles during the program. Some participants walked/ran over 60 miles.
  • 48 students were invited to participate in the Grand Canyon Award trip.
  • Teachers and aide staff reported improved behaviors during the lunch recess, improved classroom behavior post recess. A decrease in visits to the school nurse and improved mile times were noted at many participating schools.

 

Partnership Locations: Hohokam Elementary School, Christ Lutheran Elementary School

 

Additional Program Locations: Grand Canyon Trekkers was also implemented in Cochise Elementary School, Zuni Elementary School, CopperRidge Elementary School, Cherokee elementary School, Fountain Hills Elementary School, Anasazi Elementary School, Pinnacle Peak Elementary School, Black Mountain Elementary School, Desert Springs Elementary School, Indian Bend Elementary School.

 

Target Population: Elementary School aged students

 

Program Overview: Grand Canyon Trekkers is an 12-week lunchtime walking program designed for elementary school aged students. Each participant is given a trail card and walks or runs a pre-marked ¼ mile track. Each time a lap is completed, a boot is crossed off until 5 miles is reached. Upon completion of a card the student receives a prize, their card is posted in a trail club, and a new card is given to continue walking. Trail clubs consist of the following: Hermit Rim, Bright Angel, South Kaibab, North Kaibab, etc. At the end of 12 weeks the All stars from each school receive additional rewards. The top 30 students receive a yogurt parfait party, the top 10 receive a T-shirt, the top 4 in grades K-3 receive 2 passes to the Alltel Ice Den, and the top 4 grades 4-8 qualify to take a trip to hike the Grand Canyon. Top 5 children and parents from Hohokum and Christ Lutheran will attend the KSS ALL STARS Celebration on May 16th, 2007. Parents and other school volunteers assist in the program to mark cards, pass out prizes, and track mileage of students. Scottsdale Healthcare, Community Health Services provides all materials, incentives, and staff member support to each site.


2007 Timeline (* Evaluation school schedules)


Fall Series - Start Date End Date Spring Series - Start Date End Date
Sept 5 Nov 20 Jan 8 March 26*
Sept 11 Nov 27 Jan 15 April 2
Sept 18 Nov 27 Jan 29 April 16
Sept 25 Dec 11 Feb 5 April 23*
Oct 2 Dec 18 Feb 12 April 30

KIDS SPORTS STARS All Star Event at Arizona State University: May 16, 2007 Grand Canyon Trip: June 6, 2207

 

Evaluation:

 

Goal:

To provide an opportunity for all students to increase the amount of physical activity during the school day.

 

Objectives:

  • To promote physical activity
  • To increase the number of students participating in physical activity on a daily basis
  • Increase the number of minutes structured physical activity is offered at the school site.

Strategies:

  • Offer incentives for walking
  • Invite all students to participate via a Kick-Off assembly
  • Retrieve baseline data on minutes of PE are available at the school

Evaluation Data Gathered:

  • Participation
  • Miles walked per child
  • BMI data at some schools
  • Impact on academic performance, attendance and disruptive behavior where possible
Grand Canyon Trekkers Background

The Echo Foundation approached Scottsdale Healthcare’s Community Health Services with a proposal to provide a fitness program at Copper Ridge Elementary School in the DC Ranch Community of North Scottsdale during the 2004-2005 school year. At Copper Ridge, 292 students participated, walking a total 4,823 miles. Grand Canyon Trekkers grew from the pilot program at Copper Ridge Elementary School to eight additional schools/sites in 2004-2005, to 16 schools/ sites in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley school districts and added four private schools in the 2005-2006 school year.

 

Program Overview:

  • Grand Canyon Trekkers is a walking club for children in Kindergarten through sixth grades.
  • The program takes place during the lunch recess on a pre-marked path around the playground.
  • The program is twelve weeks long and can take place anywhere from three to five days per week.
  • Provide incentives for meeting the walking challenge

 

Program Details:

  • Children receive a “Trekkers Trail Guide” which represents 5 miles
  • Children also receive cards bordered with hiking boots. Each boot represents 1/4 of a mile.
  • After each lap, a hiking boot is crossed off until the card is completed.
  • The hiking goals are named for Grand Canyon trails
  • Small incentives have been given for finishing each card and a grand prize fruit and yogurt party has been awarded to the class and walkers from each grade that walk the most accumulated miles.
  • Top ten walkers at each site have received a T-shirt.
  • The top four walkers in grades 4-6 have an opportunity to hike at the Grand Canyon.
  • The top four walkers in grades K-3 have received two passes to the Alltel Ice Den.
DONATE NEWS LETTERS
© 2008 by Kids Sports Stars, All Rights Reserved