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

1. Basketball Shooting Contest Winner.                Violet Kakinya
2. Winning Touchdown Pass.                              Brandon Tagarook
3. Winning Kick (Native Kickball).                        Jonathan Rulland

Atqasuk   July 19 – 20

1. Knock out basketball for the youth division.       Bernice Kagak and Edward Aiken
2. Winning Touchdown Pass.                              Arthur Bordeaux
3. Shooting Contest.                                        McCord Ahkivgak
4. Knock out basketball for the older division.        Max Bodfish

Point Lay   July 19 – 20

1. Bike Contest Winner                                      Theodore Henry
2. Hula Hoop Champion                                      Justina Tracey
3. Jump Rope Champion                                     Mary Kate Curtis
4. 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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Announcing the 2010 Challenge Life Triple Threat Basketball Camps! Tuition for the 2010 camps is FREE! August 4th – 6th at West Valley High School in Fairbanks. Official sign up day is July 6th at 10:00 AM at the Era ticketing counter in the Fairbanks International Airport. Contact hajduke@mac.com with questions.

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Download the flyer here:  Alaska Peak Teamcamp flyer 2010

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NOTE:

Registration forms for the Barrow 3 on 3 Tournament, and the Fairbanks 3 on 3 State Tournament will be online Friday 05/07/2010. There will be two (2) options for registration: a) Fill out and submit the registration online   –   or   –   b) Download the PDF registration form, fill it out by hand, and turn it in as instructed on the form.

It’s A Challenge Life Summer!

Mike and I wanted to take a quick moment to remind everyone of some of the exciting activities
we have in store for this summer. I am sure we will add to the list and honor as many requests
as possible but for now, here it is:

Barrow Advanced Basketball Camp

This past April, Coach Sokaitis took a group of men and women high school basketball players to compete against
college athletes in Oregon and Washington. The trip demonstrated that many of the athletes from the Slope
could compete at the next level if they enhanced their skill level and became bigger, faster and stronger athletes.
Challenge Life will be offering an advanced camp for high school players who would like to, one day, compete at
the collegiate level. The camp will take place at Barrow High School at the following times and dates:

May 19

8:00pm – 10:00pm

May 20

10:00am – Noon

1:30pm – 3:30pm

May 21

8:00am – 10:00am

Barrow Basketball Camp for Junior High School Players

Challenge Life will offer a basketball camp for Junior High School boys and girls that would like to raise
their level of play. The camp will focus on:

One on one skills.
Position play to include the post play, point guard play and wing play.
Transition basketball – offense and defense.
Team and individual defense.
Shooting.
Rebounding.
Ball handling.
Passing.
There will also be games and contests.

May 21

1:00pm – 4:00pm

May 22

10:00am – Noon

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Challenge Life will run a basketball camp for elementary students in Barrow this August.

Would you like a two or three day basketball camp in your village this June, July or

August? Give us a call or drop a line and I will do my best to schedule you in.

Music Camp in Barrow

Challenge Life will be holding a music camp in Barrow under the direction of Matt Lewis and
Cameron Levanger. The dynamic duo will focus on voice, guitar and music production.

May 20

1:00pm – 4:00pm

6:00pm – 7:30pm

May 21

10:00am – Noon

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Barrow 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Lace em up! Old and young, short and tall, get a couple of friends to join you for two exciting nights
of three on three basketball competition. Details will be posted around town or contact Noe in the
Borough Building.

May 20 and 21.

Mike Needs Some Company!

On Saturday May 22 at 10:00am, Mike is going for a run. I know, you think we lost it but bear with me.
Would you like to get in shape, lose a few pounds or develop a more effiecient heart? Well, as the Chinese
say, “a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.” The first step on the Slope begins when Mike
takes a two mile jog starting a Barrow High School. Join Mike in a fun run and receive a “First Step” tee
shirt and workout plan. The rest is up to you!

Position Play Camp in Anchorage

Post Play May 25/26 Perimeter Play May 27/28

Many of the top players in the state will gather at Luman Christi High School in Anchorage for this
high level, competitive position play camp. Slope residents who wish to attend will not be charged a
camp fee but must contact Coach Sokaitis by May 15th. A brochure will be emailed on request.

Girl’s Team Camp in Wasilla

June 1 – 5

Join many of the top high school teams in Alaska as they compete in the State’s number one team
camp. Slope teams are admitted tuition free, compliments of Challenge Life. Contact Coach Sokaitis
for further information.

The State 3 on 3 Tournament

Come and compete against the State’s best on June 20th in Fairbanks. A variety of divisions offer the opportunity
for all to stake a claim as Alaska’s top 3 on 3 hoop team. It not just basketball, however, as numerous events
are running to celebrate the sommer solstice, including, foot races, live music, parades and baseball. Contact
Mike at hajduke@mac.com or call 907 322-0626 for further information.

Point Hope Athletes to Visit Colorado

The Point Hope men’s and women’s cross country teams are selling baked goods and saving their bread (oops,
I mean money) for an exciting week long trip to Colorado. Coach Sokaitis will be hosting the teams as they take
advantage of 8,000 feet in altitude to train alongside of some of the nation’s elite runners. The team will also
tour the rockies, whitewater raft, hike, bike and visit some of the colleges in the area.

Next report will have a listing of Slope athletes on their way to study and play college basketball next year.

Heck, we haven’t even started on August.

See you soon,

Mike and Al

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Challenge Life and North Slope Borough Healthy Communities would like to introduce the very first edition of the Northern Lights Children’s Workbook!

For more information contact Mike Hajdukovich or Al Sokaitis.

Special thanks to: Flora Rexford, Roger Watkins, Mike Hajdukovich, and Al Sokaitis.

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