Each year, the end of October signals the return of a beloved Sanford tradition at Carl J. Lamb (CJL) Elementary School: Spooky Gym, an elaborate, week-long event incorporated into Physical Education (P.E.) classes in the days leading up to Halloween. Students navigate a variety of themed stations set up throughout the darkened gymnasium, practicing fundamental movement skills under the guidance of P.E. teachers David Eldredge and Tatyana Wolterbeek.
“We’ve been doing it since the school’s been here,” said Dave, who created Spooky Gym 40 years ago as a way to offer students a creative approach to physical education, blending physical skill development with holiday fun. When Tatyana joined CJL staff five years ago, she helped Dave expand his original concept, increasing the scale of the annual event with her own creative ideas.
Each year, the pair volunteer their time on the Sunday preceding Spooky Gym to set up the activities and decorations, an undertaking that often takes hours. With extensive planning, vibrant inflatables, and atmospheric lighting, the pair continually transform the gym into an immersive, festive environment.
For Dave and Tatyana, Spooky Gym is a way to reinforce skills they’ve been working on with students throughout the year while introducing creative challenges. Together, they set up eight to ten stations, switching out activities throughout the week to keep surprising students with something new. A balance beam becomes a narrow bridge over Alligator Creek, a scooter ride is a tour through the Cave of Wonders, and a rope swing offers an escape from the Snake Pit below. “They really take it seriously,” Tatyana stated.
By Friday afternoon, the gym can be filled with 40 to 45 students at a time. Dave spoke of the excitement students bring as they enter the decorated gym. “They’re literally bouncing,” he said with a giddy smile.
“They’ve been talking about it for weeks already,” Tatyana added, with Dave nodding and mentioning that the inquiries begin at the start of each October. But it’s not just the students. Spooky Gym spans generations of the CJL community. Each year without fail, parents and grandparents ask Dave and Tatyana when Spooky Gym will begin, eager for their children and grandchildren to experience a tradition that holds cherished memories of their own school days.
For Dave and Tatyana, Spooky Gym is even more than a beloved tradition. The week holds special meaning as they get to watch students accomplish activities they aren’t usually able to complete, some even attempting skills they often refuse during a typical week. The fun and excitement of Spooky Gym incentivizes students to put all of their effort towards mastering these essential motor skills, finding joy in movement as they do so.
When students harness that motivation and master a new skill, they build not only their physical capabilities but also a newfound sense of confidence that carries into other activities throughout the school year. Students can be heard screaming with excitement during these special moments, Dave noted. What may appear as a simple game to an observer can represent a core milestone for a young learner.
And now, four decades after Dave first introduced Spooky Gym, the tradition continues to bring the CJL community together, uniting generations of Sanford families while giving each new class of CJL students opportunities to challenge themselves and discover what they're capable of.
The fun doesn’t end here… look out for elf tryouts at Christmastime!