The first week of school started off with a bang.
NIC students began an amazing race-type scavenger hunt around the college campus on a hot August 29 afternoon. The event started at NIC’s Yap-Keehn-Um Beach.
This year’s winning team was the “Kooky Cardinals,” followed by “C-squad” and “Bankai Zenbone,” whom I became a part of just as the competitors lined up to start.
Rushing from the Writing Center all the way to the water treatment facility, the scramble was in their eyes and if you saw these sprinting students, armed with a campus map, headbands and a to-do list, you knew they meant business. As they moved from knowledge of the campus to the “special challenges,” it got interesting.
Students had to raise a tent using only one arm per competitor, then work together as a team and carefully, but precisely, use their athletic skills. That meant students using their teeth to secure the poles in place while another sunk the pin in the bottom to hold the tent up.
The balance board was another fun event.
Students had to balance a board for five seconds. Having only a hodgepodge of random items, they began. Some of the items included a crock-pot, two 2x4s, a pair of purple rollerblades, weights and a hockey stick. Using their problem-solving skills and logic, some only took a minute or so, while others were still scratching their heads.
“You’ll have one hour to complete or you’re gone,” yelled Jon Totten, this year’s scramble officiator.
The rules were simple. It was a foot race. No bikes, skateboards, cars or Segways were allowed. Each team had to have a smartphone handy.
Using their knowledge and wits, most teams completed the race in less than an hour.
It was a very fun race and hanging out with new students is always a pleasure.
The race was followed by a very tasty barbecue. The smell of hot dogs and hamburgers were clouding up the afternoon.
We could eat as much brain food as our stomachs could handle.
Some students left for class while others stuck around and played volleyball on the beach.
I learned quite a lot of things about NIC that I never knew.
I encourage every student to be a part of it next year. The more the better. You’ll learn a lot while getting a nice workout.
Then eat a feast with your new friends. What more could you ask for?
Other upcoming student activities include a co-rec. division seven-on-seven flag football league going Sept. 16 through Oct. 2 from 3 to 6 Mondays and Wednesdays. Stand-up paddleboarding is every Wednesday in September at 4 on Lake Coeur d’Alene and rock climbing is every Thursday in September at 4 in Post Falls.
