Feb 2, 2024 5 min read

By Dave Bates

For the Observer-Reporter

The cold months are upon us. Duh, Dave. Like we didn’t know that from looking at the thermometer bottoming out the last week or two, listening to school delays and closings and generally reaching for a pair of long-handled underwear before daring to step across the front door threshold.

So, what gives? News flash: This week’s installment is not about hunting or fishing or shooting. It’s about enjoying the cold; particularly, sledding. It’s about being out “in it.” My faith in our youngsters is again restored.

As a teacher, we conducted our first couple of flexible instruction days, recently. Basically, this involves teaching from home via computer technology, thus enabling school districts not to have to cancel the day of school, making up the days later. Most districts across the country are utilizing similar practice. Tearing a page from the COVID playbook, I have to recognize that a little good comes out of all the bad mask-wearing times. One of the benefits being that as an educator, I was forced to up my technology game. Truth be told, it was necessary. Zoom meetings, Google Classrooms, electronic grade books, videos for instructional use, electronic submission of assignments were all added to our repertoire as 21st century educators.

This was more difficult for some of us geriatrically advanced pedagogists than our kid counterparts. Many of our newer teachers can conduct class from their cell phones and never break a sweat. Alas, many of us are not there, quite yet.

During the foul-weather reorganization of the modern classroom, I posted my assignment for kids to retrieve from cyberspace; a modest assignment that wouldn’t take all day. I then posted a second, additional assignment that would not be checked. In addition to their “real” assignment, I gave them a multipl- choice assignment: A. Go sled riding. B. Build a snow person (terrible snow for snow person building). C. Participate in a snowball fight or D. Take a walk in the cold.

The next day, I was refreshingly astounded to find a number of students standing in front of my desk, recounting all the fun they had (after completing their Google Classroom assignment, of course). Apparently, they had been quite busy playing … outside.

I am constantly hearing about “This Generation” of kids doing nothing but playing video games, etc., etc. Blah, blah, blah. I am here to testify to the contrary. Wherever I drive recently, in the cold and snow, I need to watch out for multitudes of kids dressed in snowsuits appearing from every nook and cranny of civilization. Granted, some of the places they have chosen as sled-riding destinations leave a bit to be desired as far as safety goes, but nonetheless, they are out there. And I am proud of them. No concerns of frostbite. Helmets have been observed but not the requisite sledding headgear. I believe since climbing from our post-apocalyptic, former COVID nightmare that we might be turning the corner. I notice education returning to near normal this year, more so than any year I can recall since the pandemic.

Personally, I spent a recent Saturday afternoon in the 15-degree temperatures on the range with a former Green Beret and a highly motivated church security detail. Is there something wrong with us? Quite possibly. But they never gave it a second thought and were troopers, throughin and throughout, never mentioning the cold as they trained their way to firearms proficiency.

My daughter’s friends from church came over to our farm Sunday afternoon and used sled riding as an excuse to forgo their regular Sunday evening youth group Bible study. I immediately recognized it for what it was — fun. I was so inspired by the assemblage that I fired up the four-wheeler and dragged kids up and down the hill all afternoon. I heard no complaints, no excuses, and saw nobody beg off. They stuck it out to the not-so-bitter end. And I was proud of them. The sun was shining. Clear blue skies prevailed and the temperature remained below the freezing mark all afternoon. Nothing but smiles and rosy cheeks.

If there were any frostbitten children that escaped me, hot chocolate and brownies seemed to smooth away the resultant trauma.

So why am I writing about sled riding? We could all use a little time outdoors, right about now. The February doldrums are beginning to settle in. Cabin fever won’t be far behind. Seasonal depression may be right around the corner. So what’s the cure? Get out there in it. Go for a walk in the cold with a friend or on your own. How long has it been since you’ve been sledding? Maybe we’ll get a little of the sticky snow, perfect for building a snowman? How about mandatory outside recess for all of us if it’s above 25 degrees?

A special shout out to Magisterial District Judge 13-3-02, D. Glenn Bates on his recent retirement. Twenty-eight years as a police officer and 18 more as a magistrate. That is a career! Job well done. I hope to play in the snow a bit more with my big brother in the days to come.

Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com