Aliy and ChaCha made a couple of school visits recently to local schools in the Two Rivers and North Pole area and spoke with students from kindergarten to 8th Grade. Aliy spoke about the history of the Iditarod and Yukon Quest races and about the clothing and equipment needed to run the race – a lucky volunteer got to dress up in her boots, parka, hat and beaver mitts! She also spoke about the calorific input for sled dogs during the Iditarod (research tells us around 10,000 calories per day!) and compared this to every day “human” foods.
ChaCha demonstrated how she pulls a sled and we had a couple of relay races involving the students putting one piece of mushing gear on then ChaCha pulled them to the next stop where they swapped over. Much fun was had by all.
This is the most wonderful story of the year!
And ChaCha looks as if she has learned some new skills at teaching 2-legged youngsters – keeping eye contact, show and tell (modeling her cold weather outfit).
Thanks so much SP Kennel for this spectacular update!!!
I would love to have Allen and Aliy speak to my kiddos if they are ever in or near the Fort Worth, Texas area.
Los of fun indeed :).
Very lucky kids to meet Aliy and ChaCha in person!
These are potential future SP Kennel sponsors. Hurray!
Oh boy!! Wouldn't be cool if a future Yukon Quest or Iditarod Winner came out of this audience!
YEAH!
ChaCha looks as enthusiastic as you,Aliy. What a wonderful way to promote dog teams and mushing. Keep planting the seeds. Go SP Kennel dogs, Aliy & Allen.
It's great you get out and introduce this sport to kids…mechanics and all….I learned about the Iditarod as a young teenager when Susan Butcher was in her winning streak and it really made an impression on me!! It's such a unique race and Im proud to be a fan!!
ChaCha looks ad enthusiastic as you, Aliy. What a great dog & mother of so many of your great sled dogs. What a treat for the students. What a great ambassador you are & may the seeds planted inspire some to become mushers!
You came and talked to our school in Texas just yesterday! It was really interesting and I loved hearing your stories! <3