Rink

he Pettit National Ice Center is celebrating its 15th anniversary of operation this year. Throughout the facility's history, school outreach programs have been an important component of the Pettit Center, attracting more than 200,000 students to the Olympic Training Facility. The Pettit Center offers two primary school programs: The first is a pure field trip experience (available year-round), and the second is a multi-visit opportunity to take skating lessons. Kids On Ice — the field trip program — is usually a two-hour visit, including skating on an inner rink and, when available, the Olympic Oval. Schools On Ice provides classrooms with skating lessons over a six- visit period. Special-event school programs can also be coordinated with the Pettit Center. Often these surround speed skating competitions that are held at the facility. For instance, if a speed skating competition includes weekday racing, the Pettit Center creates a school package that gives students a chance to see the competition, perhaps talk to a competitor and also skate. Because the Pettit Center features the Olympic Oval and two inner skating rinks, the facility has the capability to host entire school functions. In addition to skating, those can sometimes include a meal component. The promotional tools utilized by the Pettit Center to inform decision-makers of the school outreach programs continually evolve. Fliers are sent directly to schools, brochures are displayed at the Pettit Center, and of course information is posted at the facility's web site. Pettit Center staff have also attended teacher-information trade shows to distribute literature and speak directly with educators about these programs, and sent emails or letters to teachers to share details about facility visits. While the Center welcomes about 20,000 students annually (including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts), increasingly smaller school budgets are making it more difficult for these groups to visit. Even though the location is in close proximity to a large number of schools, the cost of bus transportation, in particular, is sometimes an obstacle. With that in mind, grants are being sought to support the school outreach programs. Last year the Pettit Center was awarded an Olympic Opportunity Fund grant that allowed 172 inner-city students to visit the facility and learn the basics of speed skating. Of course feedback from educators is extremely valuable in keeping the school outreach programs viable. Every group that visits receives a survey. With that information in mind, work has begun on a "Science of Ice" component for schools. Plans are also in motion to promote the Olympic Week in America, including materials available from the US Olympic Committee. Educators are encouraged to use them in conjunction with a Pettit Center visit. Another exciting facility enhancement on the horizon — the relocation of the National Speedskating Museum and Hall of Fame to the Pettit Center — is anticipated to be popular with educators and will hopefully become a regular component of school field trips. ★ For more information about the Pettit Center's school programs, please contact Rob Multerer, 414-266-0100 x132. NAME Cindy yomantas POSITION Director RINK/LOCATION Pettit national ice center /Milwaukee, Wis. field trips & School programs 54 R INK MAGAZ INE March/April 2008 real programs T Pettit National Ice Center Puts Schools On Ice PETTIT NATIONAL ICE CENTER The promotional tools utilized by the Pettit Center inform decision-makers of school outreach programs continually evolve.

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