As our sports teams were looking forward to traveling across Europe, ready to compete with international schools in Lisbon, Berlin, Valencia, and Paris, the first spring lockdown changed our lives. Virtual sport skill sessions and fitness challenges became the norm and placed athletes in front of screens rather than spending time on the courts, the fields, or in nature. As we started a new school year school in August, we were very fortunate to be able to return to campus. We were full of hope to start the fall season and jumped into practicing and playing games with local athletic teams from Zurich and Basel. Even though our community could not be there to cheer from the sidelines, they watched the live streams from home, a new highlight for school life. But, again, with a second wave of the virus hitting Switzerland in November, we were forced to suspend competitions.

At that time, the International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL) Athletic department together with the Middle School Physical and Health Education team was exploring new options for our students to enhance the regular school day. The focus shifted to recreational sports which would increase the time in the fresh air, where masks could be taken off when participants were socially distanced. We were amazed by the quick support we received when connecting with local clubs and authorities to investigate the outdoor education options in our region. The first couple of weeks, students played disc golf, Speedminton, archery, pitch, and putt-putt golf, no matter whether rain, shine, or snow. Our local resources became the new “gym.”