DEH CHO
Jumping around, strapped to special boots, seemed to be a hit with students and adults alike in many schools as Jump a Bunch visited Deh Cho communities last week.

Bompas Elementary School students Lydia Nelner, left, William Tanche-Hanna and Landon Konisenta have fun using Kangoo Jumps, as part of a visit from Jump a Bunch in Fort Simpson on Oct. 7.

Jump a Bunch, based out of Yellowknife, uses boots with springs, called Kangaroo Jumps, that lessen the impact on knees, backs and joints. The jumps are good for ages six and up.

Amanda Grobbecker, who runs children's programs in the territorial capital, said she was in the region to get the youth to be more active and see how much they would enjoy doing this activity. The jumps are a good mix of cardiovascular activity, balance and motor skill development.

"For some age groups, we will do more dances, which is more of an aerobics type of activity, really. Some of the younger kids, you play a lot more games," she said. "But because of the boots, it's really having to work on their balance and motor skills to really define them because now they are elevated six inches off the ground."

The Deh Cho Drum caught up with Grobbecker at Bompas Elementary School, where kids were jumping in the gym with the Kangoo Jumps.

"So far, they look to be having a lot of fun. They're sweating a lot, which is really good. They're really enjoying it," said Grobbecker, adding she found the students don't connect the activity with fitness. "They think it's just fun. Even if I say to them 'we've had a great exercise or a good workout,' they'll correct me and tell me 'it's not fitness. It's fun.'"

Following her Fort Simpson visit, Grobbecker headed to Jean Marie River and Fort Liard on Oct. 8 and 9, Wrigley and Trout Lake on Oct. 10 and Nahanni Butte on Oct. 11. She returned to Fort Simpson on Oct. 11 and 12 with activities. This is her first visit in the Deh Cho.

In Jean Marie River, the kids were sweating, said Kent Bratton, principal at Louie Norwegian School.

"They had a great time," he said. "They spent about one hour doing different activities, dancing, they did some aerobics and played games. I think it was great, especially for the younger kids, to help them to develop their balance a little bit."

In Fort Liard, Echo Dene School Principal William Gowans echoed a similar sentiment.

"The kids had a wonderful time," he said. "And the staff had a wonderful time, too. We had a member of the staff who strapped on the boots and bounced around."

In Wrigley, Chief Julian Yendo School Principal Blair Sellars said the school is looking into purchasing some Kangoo Jumps.

"The kids participated and they all enjoyed it. They had a great time," he said. "A high level of participation and they enjoyed the event."

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