Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sitka's Olympics
I spent a lot of time attempting to upload this video last night. The blog's server might be on east coast time since they were not responding nor allowing me to post. Could not contact Blogger.com. Saving and publishing may fail. Retrying... Return to list of posts I intended to have the discussion part after the credits but the file got to large for my internet connection. So now you get two
Sitka's Olympic Games
Reaching for Gold through Teamwork, Sportsmanship, and Fun
by Lara Fluharty:
“I declare open the games of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club celebrating the first Olympiad” stated Elizabeth Immele, a member of the Sitka’s Olympic Committee for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, or the SOC, to her squirming audience.
Naturally she is bombarded with questions, “What do you mean? How can we have the Olympics?” Sam, age 9, demanded.
At the same time Connor, age 13, shouted, “Do we win anything? What do we win?”
Felicia, one of the older members at 16 does not show any enthusiasm. Her 300-pound stature testifies to her low interest in sports; she doesn’t have to verbally express her desire to disappear, her facial expression said everything.
“We have to supply the initiative,” The Boys’ and Girls’ Club physical education counselor Mike Miyasoto said, “Once the kids start playing, the Games’ the ‘fun’ aspect guarantees their continual participation.”
Each challenge was debated at length by the SOC before it was included. Some events chosen are similar to the Olympics such as field hockey and soccer, some are modified like waffle ball and marshmallow archery, while others have nothing in common such as slug races, Frisbee golf and lawn bowling.
The criteria for the Olympic challenges were no training time, a high probability that the kids already had a basic understanding of the rules, and it required teams since the “Games” consist of a series of challenges to promote the importance of teamwork.
By randomly dividing the members into two teams, the club increases the probability that the teams will have an even distribution of abilities, plus it promotes members to interact with someone new. A point system that rewards participation regardless of athletic ability and positive peer pressure encouraged all members to try the challenges.
“We want our members to get off the couch and away from the video games,” the Boys’ and Girls’ Club director Lillian Feldpautch said, “But it seems that it has gotten more difficult to motivate them. I’m hoping that the Games help the kids remember that fun and exercise aren’t mutually exclusive.”
All the SOC planning has paid off. The continuous technological high-frequency buzz only disrupted by computerized programmed bells and explosions once prominent within the Club’s common area are silent. Instead everyone is outside playing kickball, either focused on the pitcher as she tosses the rubber ball toward the posed and tense kicker or along the sidelines cheering as they wait for their turn.
The SOC has also met the Olympic challenge, not with athleticism, but of teamwork and quick thinking. The steady rainfall didn’t dampen the SOC spirits or wash away their resolve about holding the Olympics. Swift and creative thinking allowed the Games to continue without significant alterations. The original scheduled outside relay races were altered to short track and untraditional legs: the kangaroo hop, the potato sack, balancing an egg on a spoon, and the final leg, the three-legged race.
“I can’t believe the level of excitement and enthusiasm the kids have expressed,” Elizabeth said, “I no longer hear ‘Do I hafta?’ Instead I hear, ‘what are we doing for the Olympics today?’’
And what do they win? The daily challenge winners receive a 40¢ a lollypop while all participants competing in four or more get to attend a pizza party. “We’ve all won through these events,” Elizabeth summed up, “Kids are having fun and forming friendships.”
And isn’t that what the original Olympics are all about?
by Lara Fluharty:
“I declare open the games of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club celebrating the first Olympiad” stated Elizabeth Immele, a member of the Sitka’s Olympic Committee for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, or the SOC, to her squirming audience.
Naturally she is bombarded with questions, “What do you mean? How can we have the Olympics?” Sam, age 9, demanded.
At the same time Connor, age 13, shouted, “Do we win anything? What do we win?”
Felicia, one of the older members at 16 does not show any enthusiasm. Her 300-pound stature testifies to her low interest in sports; she doesn’t have to verbally express her desire to disappear, her facial expression said everything.
“We have to supply the initiative,” The Boys’ and Girls’ Club physical education counselor Mike Miyasoto said, “Once the kids start playing, the Games’ the ‘fun’ aspect guarantees their continual participation.”
Each challenge was debated at length by the SOC before it was included. Some events chosen are similar to the Olympics such as field hockey and soccer, some are modified like waffle ball and marshmallow archery, while others have nothing in common such as slug races, Frisbee golf and lawn bowling.
The criteria for the Olympic challenges were no training time, a high probability that the kids already had a basic understanding of the rules, and it required teams since the “Games” consist of a series of challenges to promote the importance of teamwork.
By randomly dividing the members into two teams, the club increases the probability that the teams will have an even distribution of abilities, plus it promotes members to interact with someone new. A point system that rewards participation regardless of athletic ability and positive peer pressure encouraged all members to try the challenges.
“We want our members to get off the couch and away from the video games,” the Boys’ and Girls’ Club director Lillian Feldpautch said, “But it seems that it has gotten more difficult to motivate them. I’m hoping that the Games help the kids remember that fun and exercise aren’t mutually exclusive.”
All the SOC planning has paid off. The continuous technological high-frequency buzz only disrupted by computerized programmed bells and explosions once prominent within the Club’s common area are silent. Instead everyone is outside playing kickball, either focused on the pitcher as she tosses the rubber ball toward the posed and tense kicker or along the sidelines cheering as they wait for their turn.
The SOC has also met the Olympic challenge, not with athleticism, but of teamwork and quick thinking. The steady rainfall didn’t dampen the SOC spirits or wash away their resolve about holding the Olympics. Swift and creative thinking allowed the Games to continue without significant alterations. The original scheduled outside relay races were altered to short track and untraditional legs: the kangaroo hop, the potato sack, balancing an egg on a spoon, and the final leg, the three-legged race.
“I can’t believe the level of excitement and enthusiasm the kids have expressed,” Elizabeth said, “I no longer hear ‘Do I hafta?’ Instead I hear, ‘what are we doing for the Olympics today?’’
And what do they win? The daily challenge winners receive a 40¢ a lollypop while all participants competing in four or more get to attend a pizza party. “We’ve all won through these events,” Elizabeth summed up, “Kids are having fun and forming friendships.”
And isn’t that what the original Olympics are all about?
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