Paddles Up! HHP 3390 hits the water

Students in HHP 3390: Lifetime and Outdoor Activitiestraded the classroom for kayaks last week as they wrapped up their paddle sports unit with scenic trips to Coconut Cove and the Grant River. Sunshine and teamwork set the tone as students practiced essential kayaking techniques and led each other through drills, games and group paddles.

More than just fun on the water, this course for health and human performance majors and those studying physical education, prepares students to teach and lead a variety of lifetime and outdoor activities. From planning to peer instruction, students gain hands-on experience they can take into their future careers.

"This class is all about giving students a taste of the diverse activities they can bring into schools, camps, or community programs," said Health and Human Performance Professor Gail Hoffman. "It's not just about movement-it's about making movement meaningful, fun and lifelong."

The kayaking unit is just one stop on a packed journey that includes everything from pickleball and lawn gamesto camping, rollerblading, and even axe throwing or rodeo in the student-led teaching weeks. As the semester winds down, students will take the lead by selecting an activity, creating a lesson plan and teaching their peers.

Whether on land or water, HHP 3390 proves that learning doesn't have to stay in the classroom because sometimes, the best lessons come with a paddle in hand.