The selection of afternoon activities here mirror the breadth of the academic and skills course curricula. It's a program designed for a thousand students, yet we are 350. Over at the Blackwater, for example, the Ski Patrol team is studying winter evacuation procedures from a professional from SOLO.



This is reality education. Student ski patrollers are working toward standard certification. Sam is doing a fine job pretending his femur is broken.



A new afternoon offering this winter is self-defense. The sign on the commandeered dance studio reads "Proctor Do Jo." We start every afternoon at 3:00 with a cardio workout.

 

It is common to follow with discussion of violence avoidance and the importance of words in reality-based scenarios. But real scenarios also include all types of aggressors, and optimal defenses. 

 

Another common exercise is a countdown to attack, when a "five, four, three, two, one" count ends with half the participants attacking the other. In some corners, what transpires looks like wrestling, but the defensive maneuvers are unique to Eastern martial arts, and the goal has nothing to do with pinning.


 




Gender means absolutely nothing in this activity. Girls and boys attack and defend randomly.













Crowds cheer some afternoon activities on Wednesdays and Saturdays. But this team is motivated internally. They're tough, fit, and growing in confidence and physical self-awareness.


 The next Chuck's Corner will appear Monday evening.