Photo story by MADELINE REIDA

Staff writer

Enjoying a trampoline can be hard if you are three feet tall, weigh less than 50 pounds, and are surrounded by kids twice your age. That’s why Marion Parents as Teachers partnered with Core Gymnastics for a “little gym” Friday in the 4-H building at Hillsboro’s fairgrounds.

“It can be hard for littles to play on this stuff when big kids are around,” organizer Becky Suderman said. “We decided to have this so they could play by themselves.”

Core Gymnastics provided bounce houses, obstacle courses, trampolines, a climbing net, a rearrangeable obstacle course, and other large playthings for kids 5 years old and younger. Five coaches from Core Gymnastics, as well as parents of the kids, kept tabs on them during the event and helped them with the equipment.

Thirty families took advantage of the free program, and some received door prizes from Marion PAT.

Many of the families enrolled in Core Gymnastics’ classes or who have reserved them for parties are involved with Parents as Teachers, so Core Gymnastics staged the event for free.

Kids who got to play every Monday and Tuesday in Core Gymnastics’ classes waited their turn so others could have a chance to play on the equipment. A few sons and daughters of Core Gymnastics’ coaches showed newbies the ropes.

Rylee and Jacob Yoder have run Core Gymnastics in their spare time for the past three years.

“I’m surprised by how many people are here,” Rylee said Friday night. “I didn’t even know there were this many kids this age in the county.”

Many patrons rent gym equipment again and again for parties. Profits are shared with Hillsboro Recreation Center and Hillsboro’s 4-H chapter in exchange for facilities.

“Everyone benefits,” Rylee said.