CANYON CITY – When does a school bus run on tennis-shoe power?

When it’s a walking school bus.

Humbolt Elementary School students will have four opportunities to get energized in the morning this fall with a brisk walk to school under the supervision of staff and adult volunteers.

The idea for the walking school bus comes from a national program called Safe Routes to School. Sophie Cosgrove, a Humbolt teacher, heads up the local chapter.

“Our goal is to make walking to school safer for children, so they can enjoy the benefits of fitness, fun and independence provided by walking to school,” she said.

The walking dates set for the fall are Sept. 17 and 24 and Oct. 8 and 15 with two departure points, the Grant County Library and Canyon City Park. Students who live along the route to school may be picked up in front of their home as the walking bus passes by.

Students and helpers will meet at 7:15 a.m. at those locations and arrive at the school around 7:40 a.m.

Students who live far away from the school may also join in by being dropped off at the departure sites.

Last year, the walking school bus had its first run with many walkers braving cold fall, winter and spring mornings.

This year’s program is scaled back with the four fall dates and another start-up in spring, allowing the group to avoid the worst of the cold weather.

Another difference this year is the requirement that a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form.

Students participating must agree to the following rules:

? Walk in pairs and not change partners along the way.

? Follow directions given by the adults in charge.

? Be careful to stay in the designated area for walking whether it is a sidewalk or the shoulder of the road.

Students also are cautioned that although it is an enjoyable activity, they should be serious and calm.

“This is not a time to play or be silly. Everyone will walk in an orderly and respectful manner on the way to school,” according to the rules.

International Walk to School Day is Oct. 8 and the Safe Routes group hopes to see many extra walkers, children and adults, join in. Humbolt’s first participation in International Walk to School Day was in October 2005.

Students should be dressed appropriately for the weather and for walking including jackets and, of course, tennis shoes – after all, it is a foot-powered school bus.