Bright and early Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, Mount Ellis Elementary (MEE) students arrived at the school, in Bozeman, Mont., ready for action. For the past few weeks they had been preparing for the sixth annual Bear Crawl by running the obstacle course, creating group cheers and team names, and collecting donations from sponsors.
The course was set up on the previous Friday on MEE’s soccer field, but the morning of the Bear Crawl snow began to fly. Teachers rushed to school by 7 a.m. to move the course inside the Mount Ellis Academy gymnasium. As the students arrived, they were not sure what to expect. Could they still compete in the snowy weather?
Bear Crawl first started in 2013 when some MEE staff members wondered what our school could do to make a bigger difference in the lives of someone else. That was when they discovered the very real need for sponsoring female students in Kenya. Africa World Services is a mission with two primary girls' schools in Kenya, Africa. For just $100 for a primary student and $300 for a middle school student MEE could supply tuition, uniforms, shoes, school supplies and room/board an entire year.
The event began with groups performing their team cheers for the audience of parents and other students. Then the groups were timed, and they ran the obstacle course indoors as a team. Each team was competing to get the fastest recorded time. They also ran a mile relay indoors to the applause of parents and friends.
The students had a great time, and all the parents really enjoyed the intimate atmosphere. This event is always a rewarding experience for the donors, teachers, and students alike. It is an opportunity to promote fitness, service to others and friendly competition.
For the three students who raised the most money, the school found local businesses to donate three grand prizes. There were four passes to Bozeman Hot Springs, two passes to Bozeman Fun Zone and a $10 gift certificate to U-Swirl frozen yogurt. In the end our school was able to raise $2,700 dollars, enough to sponsor six middle school and eight primary students. God has truly blessed our school, and we are so grateful we can pass some of those blessings on to others in need.
Ava Rogers hands a Frisbee to Mateo Lindberg during the mile relay race.
Sophia Johnson runs the obstable course for the Blue Jays.
The Pink Panther team prepares for their cheer.
The yellow Lemon Drop team performs their cheer for parents.
