Students develop trails at Ranchero Elementary

A labyrinth of ten unique trail loops and connecters have been developed at Ranchero Elementary.

Principal Doug Cumming explains that since September teachers Joel Mueller and Duane Kroeker and their students tackled the outdoor project of expanding the school’s old, original “Ran Run” trail and short upper loop. “It’s a wonderful addition to our school.”

With shovels and rakes in hand, the students built trails that twist and turn amongst beautiful cedar, spruce and birch trees, snake through thick willow undergrowth, wind along grassy meadows and climb over mossy hills. The trails now cover over 1.4 kilometres.

Interpretive hikes, reflective sit spots, running, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are some of the many opportunities these trails provide the students of Ranchero. 

“We are proud of our outdoor classrooms, our fantastic sledding hill and a trail system that enables the children to connect with nature, breathe the fresh air of all four seasons, as well as provide the student with the perfect space to play popular pursuit games like ‘Capture the Flag’ and ‘Infection in the Forest’,” comments Mueller.

The entire school looks forward to the new trail system being used for Halloween Pumpkin Parades, the Terry Fox and “Ran Run” races, Christmas Lantern Walks, snowshoe relays, as well as evening and weekend hikes from the Ranchero locals.   The Nature Trails will be improved upon and maintained by students in the Ranchero Trailblazer Club.