Table of Contents
Introduction
West Bend East High School special education teacher Ryan Olson recently had an idea when he stumbled upon a group of disc golf baskets collecting dust under the football bleachers. With the help of the WBHS student environmental group Saving Earth Every Day (SEED), Olson saw an opportunity to create a new and improved disc golf course on the school property. This article explores how Olson’s idea came to life and the impact it will have on the students and community.
A Neglected Opportunity
Ten years ago, West Bend East High School installed a disc golf course with nine baskets. However, within a year, one of the baskets was stolen and another was broken. As a result, the course fell into disrepair, and the remaining baskets were stored under the bleachers. It wasn’t until Ryan Olson, a disc golf enthusiast and special education teacher, discovered them while walking the track that the potential of the baskets was realized.
SEED Takes Action
Olson approached the WBHS student environmental group, SEED, led by West science teacher Paul DeLain, with the idea of revitalizing the disc golf course. Recognizing the opportunity to create an outdoor learning space, SEED eagerly took on the project. The first step was to properly install the baskets, addressing the previous installation issues. SEED worked tirelessly to stabilize the baskets, ensuring they would stand the test of time.
Expanding the Course
Once SEED began the project, the city of West Bend generously donated 18 additional baskets to WBHS, bringing the total to 26 baskets. Last summer, eight baskets were cemented into the ground as part of the new course on the high school campus. On Thursday, SEED installed the remaining baskets, and the course will soon be open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Enhancing the Course
While the course is now functional, SEED has plans to further improve it. Phase two of their plan involves mulching the surrounding area to make it more visually appealing. Additionally, SEED aims to create signage, a course map, and a description of the habitat. The course runs through various natural environments, including a prairie, oak savannah, upland woods, lowland woods, marsh, and retention ponds. These enhancements will not only make the course more enjoyable for players but also provide educational opportunities for students.
Fostering Outdoor Learning
SEED president and West senior Elena Lohr-Kougl believes that the installation of the disc golf baskets will encourage more outdoor learning at WBHS. She hopes that this initiative will increase students’ appreciation for the school’s natural surroundings and foster a love for the outdoors. Lohr-Kougl is excited about the potential impact the disc golf course can have on students’ education.
Changing the Teaching Landscape
Ryan Olson, the teacher who sparked this project, jokes about how the new disc golf course may change his teaching methods. As an avid disc golfer himself, Olson envisions spending his entire school day outside with his students, abandoning traditional teaching methods he learned in college. This lighthearted remark underscores the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the new disc golf course and its potential to transform the educational experience at West Bend East High School.
Conclusion
Thanks to the vision and initiative of Ryan Olson and the support of the WBHS student environmental group, SEED, West Bend East High School now has a revitalized disc golf course on its property. The installation of the baskets not only provides a recreational opportunity for students and the community but also fosters outdoor learning and an appreciation for the natural environment. With future enhancements in the works, the disc golf course at WBHS is set to become a valuable asset for education and recreation alike.