Ashley Falls receives donation of indoor obstacle course from local physical fitness foundation

By Matt Liebowitz

The physical education program at Ashley Falls School recently got a welcome boost.
On Dec. 16, Ashley Falls received a donation of an “O Course,” an indoor obstacle course, from the Egoscue Foundation, a Carmel Valley-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting physical fitness and health education.
The donation is part of the Egoscue Foundation’s Patch Project Initiative, which aims to reduce childhood obesity through physical activity.
The donation was sparked by Marisa Gelbart, an Ashley Falls 5th grader who, for about a year, has worked out on the “O Course” at the Egoscue Foundation as part of a rehabilitation program for scoliosis (curving of the spine).
Last year, Marisa, 11, introduced her Ashley Falls physical education teacher Kevin Cunha to the obstacle course, and from there Cunha moved forward with procuring the equipment grant from the Egoscue Foundation.
“I’m really happy about it,” said Marisa about the new obstacle course. “You can do really fun stretches and climb on it.”
Cunha is grateful for the donation as well, and plans to make the obstacle course, which uses a series of changeable platforms, beams, and bases to improve kids’ balance, a regular part of his class curriculum.
“It’s a new fun way for the kids to enjoy fitness,” said Cunha. “My whole point in this is to make exercise as fun as possible so the kids don’t want to stop.”
Jill Huerta, Egoscue Foundation director, is confident that Cunha’s students will benefit from the new equipment.
“We’re excited they’ve been able to receive the donation, and we know they’re going to use it daily.”
The Egoscue Foundation is located at 12707 High Bluff Dr. Ste 150. For more information, visit www.egoscuefoundation.org or call (858) 755-1075.