ejewishphilanthrophy.com has followed up with an article on Moving Tradition's Celebr8-U Conference. Please see the link below for the piece wrapping up a great afternoon.
http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/moving-traditions-holds-first-celebr8-u-conference/
It was an honor to take part in an event celebrating adolescent females’ strengths and diversity. Every teen should be granted the opportunity to build her identity in such a supportive, developmentally appropriate and engaging environment!
For former WNBA star and current Simmons Women's Basketball Head Coach Kristen Rasmussen, Doc Wayne volunteer Maren Madore, and myself the workshop we presented on values, ethics, and balancing one's life on and off the fields and courts was a representation of the lives we've lived the past 15-20+ years. To have the opportunity to share and learn about the young womens' experiences participating in our workshop was a mutually fulfilling experience for participants and facilitators.
While discussing all life activities to be juggled in the game oriented workshop, it became clear that the impact social media has upon young female athletes lives is significant. While attempting to be athletes, students, musicians, friends, daughters, sisters, healthy eaters, and excellent at "hanging out" some teens voiced that they were feeling under pressure keeping up with the speed of Facebook and Twitter. They spoke about the assumption that good friends responded quickly and engaged in these activities often. Within the group there were some teens that were avid users of social media and enjoyed every moment. However, it was surprising to hear how needing to respond, RT, post or update weighed on the minds of teens during times you would generally think of as dedicated to practices, games, homework, meals or sleep.
As a sport psychology consultant, my take away from Celebr8-U was a strong reminder that coaches, parents and sport psychologist should take the time to engage their teens or adolescent clients in conversation to learn about their experience. Your experience, no matter how similar, can never be assumed to be your child's, your player's, or your client's. This is often difficult when you have played the same sport perhaps even on the same field and lived to tell about the same pressured situation.
Being an adolescent female is difficult. It's a rough road at times. It can also be a magnificent journey. As one conference participant put it "All of us are different, yet, we had a common goal; to demonstrate that girls are more then someone just “sitting pretty” but equal intellectuals." Ask these adolescent intellectuals what they're thinking about. You may be surprised and learn a great deal.
do the good.
RR
www.docwayne.org
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