Welcome to Flagship’s Willard Chain Links

            The object of the course is to combine the mechanics and repair methods while also allowing the students to enter into the issues and possibilities of the bicycling world.  The majority of class time is spent by interacting with shop equipment and a variety of bicycles.  The course also emphasizes 5 unit themes:  Physical Fitness, Touring, the Bicycle Industry, Transportation Issues, and The Environment and Civic Responsibility (units are detailed, and lesson plans provided, in the Curriculum).  These units are complimented by guest speakers which allowed the students to interact and discuss topics with professionals in a variety of fields.  Field trips become increasingly common as the weather improves, and are intended to synthesize program purposes, test practical skills, increase urban riding comfort, and have fun as a class. 

                The goals of Chain Links includes helping the students reach a confidence level and equip them with safe procedures when repairing bicycles.  The program is also engages students in the unique cycling community in the Missoula area, leaving them with lasting connections and many opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Students of Chain Links

                  Flagship’s Chain Links program participates in Missoula’s Bike-Walk-Bus week Festival of Cycles celebration (put on by the City, the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation, and Free Cycles Missoula) each April.  The students set up shop at Festival of Cycles and provide free repair skills to community members in need.  After the Festival of Cycles, the students continue assisting the community by opening up their classroom for the entire of Bike-Walk-Bus-Week to anyone who needs repairs done on their bicycle.  At the end of the semester the students are asked to reflect on the Festival of Cycles and Bike-Walk-Bus-Week, here are some of their comments:

“My biggest reward was the smile on every kids’ face when [I said,] ‘I can fix that’ and the sound of kids laughing when he or she rides away.”  Zak Oliver, Class of 2005

“. . . during BWB Week a huge part of our community shows support, [this] truly shows how cool Missoula is.”  Ben Thornton, Class of 2005

“It was nice to go out and help the community.  It makes you feel good about yourself and more comfortable to go and help other people when they need it.”  Casey Carlson, Class of 2005 and Teacher’s Assistant for the Class of 2006

      

     

 

The Reward:  A Weekend of Riding

 

As a reward for the hard work that the students put in during Bike-Walk-Bus Week they are treated to a weekend trip of riding.  The two photographs are of Chain Links students on their trip in the St. Joe National Forest and Hiawatha Trail, where they spent their time riding, camping, evaluating trail conditions for the Forest Service, and meeting with Montana Conservation Corps members.

 

For More Information:

·        Anna McNairy:  Willard Flagship:  406/728-2400 x 4760, altflagship@mcps.k12.mt.us

·        The Flagship Program, www.flagshipprogram.org

·        Beau Larkin:  406/728-2400 x 4768, btlarkin@mcps.k12.mt.us or theseabass@care2.com

·        Willard Alternative High School, 406/728-2400 x 4751

·        Bob Giordano, MIST:  406/541-PATH, www.freecycles.org

The University of Montana Wilderness and Civilization Program, www.forestry.umt.edu/wc