About two dozen active children who take part in the Breakaway Sports groups got to hang out in the Elora Gorge on Sunday.
They were hanging from ropes about 65 feet in the air – and having the time of their lives.
Breakaway is an organization dedicated to ensuring children ages 10 to 15 have opportunities for Sports. It is specifically designed to focus on developing integrity and moral character in youth. That is achieved through its weekly Sports program, ending with a high impact talk about issues relevant to the lives of the participants.
There are over 90 children who take part in the activities, mostly at local school gyms. Eight adults in each community work with the groups.
Organizer Brenda Dolderman said in an interview on Sunday morning that when One Axe Pursuits, of Guelph, volunteered its staff and facilities to the group for rappelling and zip lining, the kids were pleased. A dozen participants were chosen from each of the Elora and Fergus groups.
Organizer Julie Katerberg said that Shawn Shaw, who works with One Axe, volunteered to provide the experience.
Kids were given all the safety equipment and experts explained what they needed to do to be safe and complete their ziplining and rappelling.
Dolderman said of Shaw, “He just had the good idea to put a day together like this. It’s probably a once in a lifetime experience” for the children.
