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Summer Fun for Everyone
The Summer Olympics may be in Greece next
year but this summer they were held in Shiprock, New Mexico!
The Navajo Nation organized a huge event, “Rumble at
the Rock” with the participation of over 400 Boys &
Girls Club members. The entire community was involved and
the activities promoted fitness training, healthy diet and
the importance of daily exercise. Youth were encouraged to
experience new sports activities and parents encouraged to
join in the Club’s health and fitness programs.
Participants trained in the months before
the event in league sports such as volleyball and basketball
and in a diabetes program that encouraged running and exercise.
In all, there were fourteen different events including track
& field, swimming, volleyball, basketball and a golf clinic.
Opening Ceremonies included a torch
presentation, the National Flag Song chanted by an Elder in
his native language, the local high school color guard and
the National Anthem sung in Navajo.
Even if a child was not interested in athletics, other core
areas of programming were included. An art contest was held
for the design of the official emblem which was used on all
marketing materials. The education core area was covered when
some Clubs taught members about the history of the Olympics.
Health and Life Skills were promoted when Clubs voted to only
have healthy meals which were provided by local partners. Citizen
and leadership was promoted when some teen members gave presentations,
assisted at first aid booths, track & field events, set-up
and event announcements.
“Because diabetes is a major concern
for youth on the reservation, programs that
will get kids up and moving and eating
right are highly sought after on the Rez,” stated Fran
Rowden, Director of Operations at Boys & Girls Clubs of
the Navajo Nation. The “Olympics” was the culmination
of an effort to get our Clubs up and running in the area of
sports fitness and actively working to get kids interested
in sports, with an outcome of an annual event for which they
could participate.”
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