By Anna Edwards

A group of eighty Cicero Elementary students and parents hiked Bald Mountain on Oct. 5, celebrating the 30th year of this tradition.
Stephan Bailey, the physical education teacher at Cicero Elementary who has organized the hike for the past seven years, said that he loves to watch his students get excited about visiting the Adirondacks and hiking.
“The smiles that are on their faces when they get to the top and see the fire tower- that’s why we teach, right? To see kids have those experiences. It’s something I truly enjoy,” he said.
Bailey hopes that students gain an appreciation for hiking after this experience and that it’s something they continue to pursue in our area rich with hiking opportunities.
“We hope to plant the seeds so they continue on and become little outdoor enthusiasts themselves,” he said.
The trip takes place every year during a time when the leaves are changing and the weather is nice. Preparation involves meeting with students and parents ahead of time to discuss the experience.
“Some kids have never gone hiking, you know? We meet with them a couple of times and give them an idea of what to expect,” Bailey said.
Before heading up the mountain, students learn about staying on the trail, looking for markers, and being careful of whatever obstacles they run into while hiking. The group then makes its way up the mountain. At the top, they eat their snacks, climb the Rondaxe fire tower and appreciate the view.
“It’s something that the kids, over the years, have really fallen in love with and had a great experience,” Bailey said.
The tradition started in 1994 with physical education teachers Tom Stimson and Dereck Bigford. Since then, students have participated in the adventure every year.
Stimson said that he started the tradition because one of his favorite experiences from his elementary years was hiking with his family in the Adirondacks.
“When I became a phys-ed teacher, I always said to myself, ‘You know what? It would be great if we could bring kids so they can experience that,’” Stimpson said.
Bigford and Stimson chose third grade for the event because there are not a lot of special events for third graders. Stimpson said that they wanted to give third graders a fun opportunity.
Bailey added that third graders are at an age when they are finally old enough to successfully complete a hike.
“It’s a perfect age because they’re able to do the hike and they’re getting to be responsible enough where we don’t have to worry about anything crazy happening,” Bailey said.
Stimson said that the trip is special because of all the families that have participated over the years. The trip is family-based and involves many parent chaperones. Stimson hopes that the experience inspires families to continue hiking together after completing the trip.
“Since 1994, we’ve had thousands of kids and their parents doing that trip. So my favorite part of the whole thing was not only getting the kids to do it, but getting their parents doing it with them,” he said.
Stimson and Bigford were recently celebrated at the school’s monthly SOAR assembly, where students are honored for making good choices and leading by example.
At the assembly, the group focused on leadership and recognized the former teachers for bringing something special to the school.