Kids at Lincoln Elementary School in St. Charles began enjoying a new piece of playground equipment last week that school officials believe will promote fitness as well as a whole lot of other developmental and social skills.
Lincoln Elementary now has a new gaga pit – an octagon-shaped structure where as many as 20 children can play gaga, a game that involves running and jumping in an effort to avoid being gently hit below the knees by a soft foam ball.
The structure was made possible through the efforts of the non-profit Making Kane County Fit for Kids organization, which was launched back in 2008 and seeks to promote both healthy eating and an active lifestyle for kids living in Kane County.
Jackie Forbes, chair of the board of directors for Making Kane County Fit for Kids, said there is an annual call for projects and an application process which includes data like how many children would be impacted if a project is selected and “if they have any other funding to put towards the project.”
“This is the first gaga ball pit but we have funded over 110 different projects and have given away over $800,000,” she said.
Last year, Lincoln Elementary’s project was among nine proposals that were selected to receive funding from Making Kane County Fit for Kids, Forbes said.
“When my daughters were in elementary school they went to outdoor education and there was a gaga pit there,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s something people find at a summer camp but there was one there and when they came back (from camp) there was a family that donated one to their school.
“That was the only way I knew about them and this is the first time since I’ve been with the board that we funded a gaga pit,” she said. “It was (the school’s) idea. They wanted to purchase this pit and they sent me an application for it and we funded it.”
Lincoln Elementary School Principal Michelle Woodring said having the gaga pit “was something I thought about having for a year or two and I needed to figure out the funding.”
After completing the application for the Making Kane County Fit for Kids grant, Woodring said in late December the school learned it had received the grant worth $6,500.
The pit was installed April 13 and opened the following day. Play begins by students chanting “Gaga ball” which allows the ball to bounce three times and then the game begins.
“The object is trying to get out of the way without getting hit below the knees,” Woodring said. “It teaches students so much more than being active. There’s integrity because we don’t police it and when you’re hit you have to be honest and go out. There is teamwork and camaraderie and good sportsmanship as well as increasing things on our playground that help build social and emotional skills.”
Sadie Miller, 11, of St. Charles, said she likes the new gaga pit.
“It’s really fun to play with and people listen to the rules a lot,” she said. “I’m pretty good at avoiding the ball and have survived until the end maybe two times so far. They caught me five times in P.E. I think it’s fun to do but a lot of people run over here and want to play. You kind of have to wait your turn. You get a lot of exercise.”
J.P. Tassone 7, of St. Charles, said he learned to play gaga ball “pretty fast.”
“I try to get the ball and knock them out,” he said. “I’m pretty fast. I jump really high so I don’t get hit.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
