Dayna Wichhart—Staff Writer 

In just a few days, new students will permeate campus. They’ll fill the Rec Center, game room, and grass patches during the early evenings. Local students in first through eighth grade will participate in the Dordt University Fitness Week. 

The fitness week will last four days, beginning on Oct. 17 and running through Oct. 20. First through fourth graders will participate in the camp Oct. 18 and Oct. 20 from 5-7:30 p.m. Fifth through eighth graders will attend Oct. 17 and Oct. 19 from 5-7:30 p.m. 

During the week, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic games and activities, including basketball, volleyball, tag, racquetball, spikeball, and bowling. Students participating are invited regardless of their athletic background or their familiarity with each sport. 

Parents can sign up their kids for fitness week on Dordt’s website, spots costing $40 per student. Students should bring a water bottle, athletic clothes, and running shoes. 

Trent Roose, the Assistant Athletic Director, planned this fitness week for the first time on Dordt’s campus, after beginning his position in July 2022. Roose is a previous education major and enjoys teaching others. 

“I am passionate about educating our youth on physical fitness and what it means to live a healthy lifestyle,” Roose said. 

Roose is interested in seeing what kind of traction the event will have in the community.

Dordt students will help coach each sport and show participants the rules of each game. Roose has many physical education, exercise science, and health and human performance majors who will assist with running the event. Additionally, these Dordt students will teach participants how to apply the skills they learn throughout the week to their everyday lives. 

“This is a special event where our students can gain valuable experience while engaging with our community through physical activity,” Roose said. 

In order for participants to experience sports and activities outside, the event will take advantage of the nicer weather this October and then run again in the spring. 

Roose is hopeful for a good turnout, and that Fitness Week will be a good opportunity for the Dordt body to interact with and influence the Sioux Center community. Ultimately, the aim of Fitness Week is to enable Dordt students to impact and encourage future students in healthy and positive lifestyles in a fun, low-stress atmosphere.