Mobile Classroom
Contributed by Debra McGhan
It’s been a long-time dream for Alaska Safe Riders (ASR) to have a mobile classroom. Imagine the snow and winds blowing at ten degrees and you’re standing around waiting for training to begin. Or you’re just cold and uncomfortable for a hundred other reasons. Now picture yourself inside a cozy, heated classroom with a hot cup of coffee or chocolate watching a safety video loaded with useful information. Or instead of fumbling with frigid fingers while trying to locate a spark plug or belt on a snowmachine, you’re inside safe and warm.
For the instructors, who have to haul all the gear required to teach this safety program, especially for classes held at trailheads, a truck and trailer are critical tools.
“We’ve really needed a way to store and haul our equipment and have a place where our students can get out of the elements in inclement weather when we’re teaching at remote trailheads,” explained Mike Buck, ASR Executive Director.
Now, thanks to grants from the Rasmuson Foundation, ConocoPhillips, and the Mat-Su Health Foundation, that dream is a reality.
“This new classroom is amazing,” said Buck. “It gives us the ability to carry and protect all of our training equipment so our students have the tools needed for them to learn, practice and test before they ever need to buy.”
When a deep chill begins to creep up your back and your fingers are getting numb, it’s tough to pay attention and learn. So having a warm place to get out of those elements is important. Until now, both the instructors and the students have just had to tough it out.
“This trailer is a big game changer,” said Buck. “It makes so many more things possible. We can roll into any school, community, or trailhead and have all of our gear already organized and ready to go. No more having to pack and juggle and use personal vehicles to get around. And when the weather gets bad, we have a safe place to get in to stay warm and dry. This will enable us to focus on teaching more people in our community about safe outdoor travel, especially by off-road vehicles like snowmachines and ATVs.”
The 8’ X 24’ mobile classroom from Big Bubba’s Trailers Alaska, features a four-place machine deck, a 48” TV screen for video and PowerPoint presentations, storage cabinets for gear and equipment. And a place to heat water for hot, nourishing drinks.
The ASR team has spent the past month building out this trailer to provide seating for six to eight students for field classes, room for up to four ATVs or snowmachines, storage cabinets and more.
“We’ve already had the opportunity to take it to Eureka for both our instructor and public training courses,” said Buck. “The feedback from students and instructors was super positive. Everyone is benefiting from this new equipment,” he said. “We are confident that this is going to really make it a good experience for instructors and students.”
Andy Schultz, who attended a recent training in Eureka agreed. “The mobile classroom was great. It was warm and spacious while it was negative temps outside. The ability to have a machine and gear inside for demonstration allowed us to focus on what Mike was saying, instead of focusing on staying warm. The TV will be an excellent aide for future classes. I can't wait for the next level course!”
Buck has scheduled a number of public courses over the next few weeks and months where you’ll be able to experience the new mobile classroom for yourself. Get the full schedule or request a course for your school or community at AlaskaSafeRiders.org
Photos: The new mobile classroom. All photos by Mike Buck