July 21, 2010
Challenge Life Summer Camps Heat Up The Slope!
The Challenge Life staff led by Amy Sokaitis (Yale Assistant Basketball Coach), John Dozier (Veteran Collegiate and AAU Coach), Sam Sokaitis (Master Guitar Instructor) and Lloyd Pikok (Challenge Life Coach in Training) brought summer fun to three Slope villages over the past two weeks. The staff ran programs for boys and girls of all ages in their effort to promote healthy activities in the communities. When it was all done, the participants played basketball, touch football, raced bicycles, played Native kickball and tried to master the hula hoop.
Challenge Life is hoping to make this summer program an annual event that brings a variety of activities, focuses on leadership and utilizes local residents as activity directors. Challenge Life is also hoping to add the “Young Hunter’s Program” (that is currently being developed) and a Cultural Awareness Program to the 2011 schedule. The staff at Challenge Life is convinced that a major key to the academic and athletic success of students in the winter is a fun filled activity schedule in the summer.
Summer Fun Winners
Okay, everyone that participated was a winner but the staff wanted to highlight a few individuals:
Anaktuvik Pass July 14 – 16
- Basketball Shooting Contest Winner. Violet Kakinya
- Winning Touchdown Pass. Brandon Tagarook
- Winning Kick (Native Kickball). Jonathan Rulland
Atqasuk July 19 – 20
- Knock out basketball for the youth division. Bernice Kagak and Edward Aiken
- Winning Touchdown Pass. Arthur Bordeaux
- Shooting Contest. McCord Ahkivgak
- Knock out basketball for the older division. Max Bodfish
Point Lay July 19 – 20
- Bike Contest Winner Theodore Henry
- Hula Hoop Champion Justina Tracey
- Jump Rope Champion Mary Kate Curtis
- Basketball Shooting Champion Mary Kate Curtis
Where Next?
July 21 – 23 Wainwright
July 26 – 28 Kaktovik
July 27 – 29 Point Hope
July 28 – 30 Nuiqsut
Aug 2 – 3 Barrow
Final Notes!
I have the opportunity to bring a young lady to the Slope to introduce the game of lacrosse. Lacrosse is a game invented by Native Americans in upstate New York. Today, those same six nations have their own national team. Melissa Whitehead a former collegiate player at Division I Delaware University is available to spend the time and introduce this wonderful and competitive physical activity. Let me know what you think, lacrosse is fast moving, fun and very cost effective. I think our Slope students would love it.
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Challenge Life is happy to present the 1st annual cross country skiing team camp!
