Youth here had a chance to end this year’s Breakaway season with a leap of faith – literally.
Parents and young people were gathered a Victoria Park last weekend for a chance to jump off a cliff. In fact, it was an opportunity to zip-line and rappel in the Elora Gorge in May with One Axe Pursuits.
One of the organizers, Julie Katerberg, has been involved with the Breakaway program for the past decade, and said this is the third year this year-end program happened here.
Katerberg said Breakaway is a free program for kids.
She said one of the Breakaway volunteers was involved in One Axe Pursuits years ago, and got Breakaway involved.
“He introduced the kids to this and its been an exciting thing where they get a chance to win the event.”
Breakaway covers the cost, Katerberg said.
“As the Breakaway season ended, we did a draw and had 10 kids from each location – 10 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon.”
The programs involved were from Elora Public School and St. Joseph Catholic School, in Fergus.
The program provides a challenging weekly opportunity to affect 10 to 14-year-old kids in the Elora-Fergus community through Sports. Each week at the two locations, youths participate in sport program during the evening.
The night ends with the last 10 minutes involving a talk about issues relevant to their lives, specifically designed to develop integrity and moral character.
Several different Sports are played during Breakaway: indoor soccer, floor hockey, borden ball, and basketball. All Sports are refereed according to the rules of the game.
In addition, the referee enforces Breakaway’s code of Sportsmanship and respect for others. Breakaway has a policy of non-contact in every sport. For each sport played, Breakaway offers the same level of protection from injury that the public schools would require.
All guardians of the participants in Breakaway are required to sign a waiver before participating in any Breakaway activity. That waiver includes any medical information organizers should know. Volunteers for Breakaway bring the waivers with them for all activities.
Parents are also an integral part of Breakaway.
Each week, they are welcome as spectators. They are encouraged to be present for every part of the program.
For more information about the program, contact Julie Katerberg at 519-846-9013.
