For more than a quarter century, Slate Valley students have had a unique opportunity to step outside the traditional gym class routine and discover activities they can carry with them for life. What began as a small skiing program has grown into a district tradition—Lifetime Activities—that encourages middle school students to try something new, stay active, and build healthy habits that extend far beyond their school years.
From One Ski Program to a Full Menu of Experiences
The roots of Lifetime Activities in Slate Valley go back to the 1999–2000 school year, when Castleton School's physical education teacher Mr. Jack Arthur launched the program. It started simple: a ski program for Castleton students in grades 5–8.
The following year, the idea took off. The program expanded into a wide range of offerings—giving students the chance to explore different ways to stay active and engaged. Activities included:
Swimming at the Castleton State College pool
Hiking at Glen Lake
Bowling
Fitness classes
Ice fishing at Lake Bomoseen
Skiing at Pico
Yoga
Fly tying and fishing
Volleyball
Photography
Basketball
With the growing variety, the program could now serve all Castleton students in grades 5–8. During this era it was known as Lifelong Sports, and it followed a familiar format: students who were not in the ski program participated in two three-week sessions, allowing them to try two different activities, while skiing ran for the full six weeks. This structure remained in place for the next 18 years, becoming a highlight of the year for many students.
Expanding Across Slate Valley
A major milestone came with the creation of the Slate Valley Unified Union School District in 2019–2020. At that time, the program was renamed Lifetime Activities and expanded district-wide for students in grades 5–8, welcoming participants from Orwell Village School, Benson Village School, Fair Haven Grade School, and continuing with Castleton Elementary and Castleton Village School.
This expansion strengthened what the program has always done best: connect students to new experiences while building ties between schools and the communities they serve.
A Middle School Program Today
In 2022–23, Slate Valley opened a district-wide middle school model: all 7th and 8th grade students transitioned from their town schools to the newly created Fair Haven Union Middle School, located in renovated space at the Fair Haven Union High School—forming today’s Fair Haven Union Middle and High School.
With that transition, Lifetime Activities became a middle school offering for 7th and 8th graders, now structured as two three-week sessions—one in the winter and one in the late spring—to expand the range of seasonal choices. The ski portion was removed, since the high school already offered a Ski Club open to all middle and high school students.
Powered by Planning, Partnerships, and Community
Lifetime Activities have always been supported through a separate budget line item, with the largest costs typically related to transportation, venues, and materials. But what truly makes the program possible each year is the behind-the-scenes work—planning schedules, coordinating with transportation, and building community partnerships.
Over the years, the district has been fortunate to work with many generous local organizations and businesses. These relationships help students see firsthand how many opportunities exist right in their own region.
A special thank you goes to the faculty and staff whose time, creativity, and coordination make Lifetime Activities a reality each year—along with the bus drivers who help students safely access these experiences.
The Goal: A Lifetime of Healthy Habits
While the activities are fun and memorable, the mission is even bigger: helping students find movement and activities they enjoy—now and for the future.
As students move through high school and into adulthood, activities often become less structured or less available. Lifetime Activities is designed to help students discover interests that can become lifelong routines—whether that’s fitness, outdoor recreation, yoga, hiking, swimming, art or another activity they may never have tried otherwise.
By encouraging students to explore new ways to be active, Slate Valley’s Lifetime Activities program supports not just physical health, but confidence, curiosity, and long-term wellbeing.
Lifetime Activities is more than a program—it’s a Slate Valley tradition that helps students build healthier, happier lives, one experience at a time.