The Adventure Club is an innovation program being developed at Peabody-Burns High School. It will emphasize two areas important to students’ educational success and their emotional and physical health — adventure and fitness.

PBHS teachers Gene Green, Ann Leppke, and Kristen Mefford will implement the program in the fall.

Adventure programs use the concepts of risk, challenge, trust, cooperation, and problem solving to reach individual and team goals. Regardless of a student’s ability level, each has an opportunity to experience activities that challenge and motivate, and bring them to a level of being and feeling successful. Adventure programs help students develop critical thinking skills that assist them in learning how to think, not what to think.

Adventure program planners believe that health and fitness need to become a part of the students’ lifestyle today so that it continues in their futures.

Already, the adventure team is training so they will be knowledgeable and experienced in all areas of the program. From kayaking, biking, low/high rope courses, fitness workouts, and nutrition to wilderness first aid and safety, adventure team sponsors will have the skills to keep students safe while teaching them a healthy lifestyle and giving them the tools necessary to be successful in their education and in everyday life.

The ultimate goal of the Adventure Club is the installation of a ropes course -- a challenging outdoor personal development and team building activity, usually consisting of low and high elements. Low elements take place on the ground or only a few feet off the ground. High elements can be constructed in trees or by using utility poles and, because of the distance off the ground, require the use of safety harnesses and equipment.

Members will meet after school, evenings, and weekends. There may be some opportunity for activities during the school day. Already in the works for this fall are a day bike trip, a day at the lake with kayaking and canoeing, evening activities including “Zumba” (Latin dance fitness), and challenge activities.

Activities are open to USD 398 high school students and anyone in Burns and Peabody, high school age and older. For more information, contact the central office.