STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Founding Fathers need you. Or, perhaps more accurately, the fifth-graders of the Wood River Valley.
A Save the Constitution Escape Fundraiser is being held Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 30 to raise money for incoming fifth-graders in valley elementary schools to take a summer field trip to Washington, D.C., and nearby historic sites.
The Escape Room in Alturas Elementary School next to the library was designed by Arthur Wendorf, fifth-grade teacher at Alturas.
“I am a fan of escape rooms and had designed and hosted three escape rooms before this one, so I thought hosting an escape room themed around the Constitution to go along with the theme of the trip to D.C. would be a fun way to try and help raise some funds for the trip,” he said.
The annual trip usually fields between 45 and 55 students and parents and is held each June right after fifth-graders finish school, said Lee Stoops. The five-day trip is packed with visits to government institutions, the National Mall, museums and monuments.
“It's incredibly beneficial to students finishing this grade as they get the opportunity to see firsthand so many of the institutions about which they've been learning all year,” Stoops said. “They particularly love seeing Jamestown in person as we study the development of that specific settlement and history in fifth grade.”
Students also have been raising money by selling cookies and handmade bracelets.
“Student work to fundraise for a year or more before they travel. So, by the time we are on our way, most feel incredibly accomplished!” Stoops said.
Groups must have a minimum of four people to take part in the Escape Room challenge. Groups can be as big as 10.
Groups can choose to play between 5:30 and 6 p.m. or 6:30 to 7 p.m. at https://calendar.app.google/j6bCpxBdu4RRCKJX8. Teams are asked to consider a suggested donation of $50.
Alturas Elementary is located at 1111 Alturas Elementary Lane in Hailey off Woodside Boulevard.
Questions? Contact awendorf@blaineschools.org.