Education Day

November 4^th  2006 was the start of something new and different.  It was the 1^st annual Education Day brought to you by District Educators John and Lydia Bourg (along with some help from myself).  The concept was actually Lydia’s idea in an effort to make training more available to GWRRA members and help them either update or go up a level or two in the Rider Education Program.  Lufkin was picked as the training site to get away from the big cities like Dallas and Houston.  And for those that didn’t go, you missed a great ride, beautiful weather, great restaurants (one that even surprised me was Ralph and Kakoo’s, great camaraderie and a great opportunity for learning. 

CPR and 1^st Aid, Leadership Development Training, ERC, Road Captain Course, Co-rider Seminar, and the Trike Course (taught by yours truly) were the classes offered.  I had seven students in the Trike Course including one who teaches a trike course for Evergreen. 

This year’s Education Day was a one-day event.  It was sort of a “test the waters” to see if we built it (District Educators and myself) would they come.  They did.  And the overall response was very positive.  Next year we are looking into a 2-day event. 

We had some wonderful host/hostess that went out of their way to help ensure the success of this event.  A special thanks goes out to Bob and Sherry Christiansen.  They are MSF Rider Coaches and are very strong on training.  Both are looking forward to next year.

N-2 takes the reward for most participants.  They had 12 members attend Education Day.    Hopefully there will be a bigger turnout next year.  I know M-2 had two members scheduled but we never connected so I can only assume they made it up there.

Unfortunately there was one flaw in the whole of things.  The restaurant at the hotel most of us were staying at only had one cook and one waiter on the morning of the class.  As a result, we all had to eat fast in order to be at Angelina College in time for classes.  Other than that, every thing went very smoothly – something unusual for a 1^st time.

As I said, you missed a great weekend with wonderful riding weather and a beautiful town in the East Texas Piney woods.  Hopefully this tidbit will wet your appetite enough that you’ll be eager to go to the 2^nd Annual Education Day.  Hope to see ya there.