The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang may have come to a close on Sunday, but the spirit lives on at the Kenai Peninsula Boys and Girls Club in Kenai.
On Monday, the Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) Club held several Olympic inspired events on the playground. Kids competed in biathlon, sled races and more while representing different countries, like Norway and Germany.
“(P.A.L.) is sports-oriented and I thought having kids compete for medals and represent five countries while embracing the spirit of the Olympics would be a cool experience for them,” said Dan Balmer, program coordinator.
About 25 kids participated in the day and were joined by several representatives from the Kenai police and fire departments.
“It’s always fun to hang out with the kiddos,” said School Resource Office Dan Smith. “We’re building relationships with the kids and promoting positive play. It’s a good place for them to come and hang out, have some fun in a safe place.”
Events included a sledding luge, an obstacle course and a snowball toss where kids aim for targets.
“It’s a way to have the kids interact with and work with the police, to build a positive relationship because sometimes these kids come from a rough home,” Balmer said.
The Olympics will continue next week with a broom ball event.
Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com.
Makai Johansen wipes out during a sled race at the Boys and Girls Club in Kenai for the Police Athletic League Club on Monday. The club is a sports-oriented opportunity for youth and law enforcement to interact and organizers set-up an Olympics inspired day where the kids competed for medals in different winter activities. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Makai Johansen wipes out during a sled race at the Boys and Girls Club in Kenai for the Police Athletic League Club on Monday. The club is a sports-oriented opportunity for youth and law enforcement to interact and organizers set-up an Olympics inspired day where the kids competed for medals in different winter activities. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Patrol Officer Josh Hall, left, and School Resource Officer Dan Smith take a turn sledding down the Olympic course set up for the Boys and Girls Club’s Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) Club in Kenai on Monday. The club is a sports-oriented opportunity for youth and law enforcement to interact and organizers set-up an Olympics inspired day where the kids competed for medals in different winter activities. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Patrol Officer Josh Hall, left, and School Resource Officer Dan Smith take a turn sledding down the Olympic course set up for the Boys and Girls Club’s Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) Club in Kenai on Monday. The club is a sports-oriented opportunity for youth and law enforcement to interact and organizers set-up an Olympics inspired day where the kids competed for medals in different winter activities. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kaizen Fuller flies through his sled run at the Boys and Girls Club in Kenai for the Police Athletic League Club on Monday. The club is a sports-oriented opportunity for youth and law enforcement to interact and organizers set-up an Olympics inspired day where the kids competed for medals in different winter activities. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Daniel Burtrain takes off for his sledding run at the Boys and Girls Club in Kenai for the Police Athletic League Club on Monday. The P.A.L. club is a sports-oriented opportunity for youth and law enforcement to interact and organizers set-up an Olympics inspired day where the kids competed for medals in different winter activities. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
