Iowa Cross Country Team Brings Nursing Home Residents Together Through Seasonal Outings

For 15 years, a rural Iowa school district has partnered with a local nursing home to bring joy to its residents.

The BCLUW Cross Country team visits Oakview Nursing Home several times each fall. The nursing home coach and staff said the activity benefited both students and residents.

About five times a season, the team transports about 15 residents in wheelchairs around the community. Coach Donna Fiscus said it’s a good way to practice and bond.

“Particularly, I always tell kids when it comes to running, it’s 90% mental. You have to decide with your body how far you can go,” Fiscus said. “I think when we meet nursing home residents, they understand that someday this body will not be the same as it is now.”

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents and students were still able to interact through masked, outdoor visits.

The home said residents look forward to it year-round because the high school is right across the street. It says that many athletes choose the same resident for the walk each time.

“Residents love to come out of the facility for one reason: to walk and see the leaves change color,” said Oakview Director of Operations Kelly Case. “They just like to do new things.”

While some students have relatives who live in the nursing home, the nursing home says some people living there don’t get to see their families much, so talking to someone can be very helpful.

Oakview said it encourages other agencies and schools in the area to join in expanding similar programs.

“Any additional social interaction residents can have makes them happier, which in turn helps them stay healthy,” said Oakview Administrator Kara Butler.

The residents and team also share an interest in football, so when the Iowa vs. Iowa State game is played each year, they show support for their teams by wearing their colors. Staff said it’s becoming more of a rivalry since Conrad is between both schools.

Coach Fiscus said each season the event allows students to make connections with the community that they can return to even after graduation and visit their friends.

“We always tell the kids that this is about them, not about you,” Fiscus said. “There are kids in this community who have hearts and who care. I think that’s what we need more of.”

The team and the nursing home said they plan to continue the program for years to come.

(News Now sports anchor Owen Siebring contributed video for this story.)