Adam Krugler-Sprayson’s strapped on skates for the first time Wednesday.

He was one of 28 blind or partially sighted students who took part in a field trip to Cosmo Civic Centre arena thanks to Courage Canada Hockey.

The organization travels the country, giving one-on-one skating and blind hockey lessons to students of all ages.

"Sometimes they're little kids taking their first steps on the ice like anyone else, and sometimes they're in their late teens and have never had the opportunity to get on the ice,” said Matt Morrow, the executive director of Courage Canada. “That's pretty special — especially when you see them flying around at the end of the day."

Morrow called the level of inactive kids in Canada a crisis, and said it’s even worse for kids with disabilities.

“To tell them that sport and recreation, a healthy active lifestyle is important is a message I think needs to be reinforced,” Morrow said.

Across Canada, more than 1 million people are blind or have severe vision loss. The majority are over 75, but across the country, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind says 23,000 children under 15 are affected.

Partial vision didn’t slow the kids down Wednesday. After the skating lesson, they also learned how to play blind hockey.

The biggest difference between blind hockey and hockey is the puck. The puck used in blind hockey is a lot bigger and makes noise.

Mackenzie Wegleiter, a grade seven student from Humbolt who has glaucoma and cataracts and can only see out of one eye, has strapped on skates before. She said, however, Wednesday’s experience was unique.

“I’ve never skated with help before and it was kind of nice having help,” she said.

Organizers stressed the day is about more than teaching kids how to skate. The day is about building confidence and self-esteem on and off the ice.