Fundraising helps bring back Lakes’ outdoor program

A popular outdoor school program for sixth-graders axed last year returned in partial form at Lakes Middle School this fall, thanks to fundraising by a group of parents and staff.

Over the next three weeks, groups of Lakes sixth-graders will spend two nights at Camp Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The first group headed out Monday morning and stayed through Wednesday afternoon.

Last year’s sixth-graders at Canfield, Woodland and Lakes middle schools were the first in nearly 30 years who didn’t spend a few fall days in the woods doing outdoor education activities and team-building exercises. Budget cuts, and the safety concerns of keeping students overnight in the woods far from home, forced the district to stop funding the program. The concerns over the location have been addressed: Lutherhaven is much closer to town than the previous spot in the Trail Creek area. And Lakes parents rallied enough donations to pay for sixth-graders to spend one night in the woods last spring.

Now they’ve got enough to do it in the beginning of the school year – optimum for team-building – and to extend the stay. And they want to keep it going.

A car wash is scheduled today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Panhandle State Bank on Neider Avenue. Other donations can be given to Lakes Middle School. Make checks payable to Lakes Trail Creek.

“It’s one of those things that makes Lakes different,” said Mary Larson, president of the Lakes parent-teacher association. “The staff just said ‘We don’t care what it takes – we’re going to make it happen.’ “

The cost is $60 per student. Donations help ensure that no students are left out, Larson said.

“We’re looking for any and all donations to come help offset the cost of this,” she said.

Woodland Middle School plans to bring sixth-graders to Lutherhaven for a day of activities next month, Principal Jim Lein said. Lein said he’s hesitant to use donations for the program because they aren’t always consistent.

“There could be years they (donors) don’t support it and then we’re stuck. We’re kind of trying to look at some longer term funding solution,” Lein said.

The district is offering some money for the program, Lein said – enough to send the kids out for a day.

“Hopefully next year we can do an overnighter,” Lein said. Sixth-graders at Canfield Middle School will spend a day next month doing team-building activities similar to those done at Trail Creek in the school gymnasium.

High schools to hold open houses

Shine those shoes and get ready to mingle – it’s open house time at a high school near you. Coeur d’Alene High School will hold its open house Monday at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. The CHS orchestra and the Chamber Singers will provide music, followed by a welcome from Principal Randy Russell, and comments from Student Body President Hayden Anderl and Parent Teachers Association representative Mary Jo Moore.

At 7 p.m., parents will have the opportunity to rotate through their child’s class schedule, spending 10 minutes in each classroom. Teachers and counselors will be available to chat. The evening will conclude at 8:35 p.m. with refreshments in the cafeteria.

Lake City High School’s open house is Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and the Bridge Academy’s is Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.