The 5th and 6th grade students at Brown Elementary School came together to plan a school-wide fundraiser for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Friday morning, veering away from the typical school bake sale or “Jog-A-Thon” benefit and instead opting for a boot camp-style event. Students in grades 1 through 6 jumped, weaved, balanced and flipped their way through an obstacle course meant to test their endurance and agility, while the school’s kindergarteners participated in small-circuit stations by their classrooms.

Sixth grader Saryna Jaine participates in boot camps as a member of a soccer team, and suggested the idea of a boot camp fundraiser to the school’s Health and Fitness Instructional Coach, Robin Swartz.

“It’s a really fun, great way to exercise, yet at the same time, you don’t really realize you’re exercising because you’re having so much fun,” said Jaine. “It feels really good to help out the hurricane victims, because I know that their schools are flooded and this will help them be able to buy new supplies.”

Students received donations from friends and family in the form of “pledges,” rewarding them for their hard work in the boot camp. In total, nearly $3,000 was raised, and the funds will be presented to the Salvation Army next week.