ANAHEIM, CA - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim will host nearly 10 thousand local elementary school students, grades 3-6 at the Fifth Annual First Flight Field Trip on Thursday, March 23, 2006, at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.  Doors will open at 10:00 a.m., and the event program will begin at 11:00 a.m.

The First Flight Field Trip is an interactive educational experience designed to integrate the excitement of National Hockey League (NHL) hockey with a unique learning environment for the students participating in this event.  Each student will receive a 32-page First Flight Educational Workbook prior to the event.  The student workbook curriculum was developed by elementary, junior high, and high school teachers associated with Project I-Teach, a federally funded Title III project at Chapman University.  The Orange County Transportation Authority is a sponsor in promoting participation in the event as they become active in promoting use of public transportation through its youthNmotion program.

“This program has become a true community event and a great example of teamwork both on the ice and among our partners in education,” said Mighty Ducks Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Ryan.  “The children involved always have a tremendous time of learning and fun and we’re proud to continue this program as part of our ongoing work in the community.”

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim invite Southern California schools to participate in the First Flight event at no cost to the schools or the students.  More than 85 schools will attend this intra-squad practice and skills event.  First Flight Field Trip’s on-ice activities will include practice drills and a skills event featuring the entire Mighty Ducks team competing in such disciplines as fastest skater, hardest shot and accuracy contests.  During scheduled breaks in the action players on the ice will prompt students to answer questions from their workbooks by use of Ducks Vision. 

The event will feature appearances by the 2005-06 Mighty Ducks players and coaches as well as special appearances by Wild Wing, Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Steve Carroll, Radio Analyst Brent Severyn, Television Play-by-Play Broadcaster John Ahlers and Television Analyst Brain Hayward. 

For more information regarding the Fifth Annual First Flight Field Trip or any of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim upcoming community events and activities, please contact the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at (714) 940-2900.