Cassidy is a local eight-year-old who excels in creative activities but struggled to find her place in organized sports. Diagnosed with Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder (ADHD), she loves movement, but gets discouraged easily, finding it difficult to stick with things that require practice. So, when she began to show an interest in volleyball, her mom jumped at the chance to send her to our Summer Volleyball Camp.
During the first lesson, it quickly became obvious that Cassidy was the youngest and least experienced athlete of the group. But instead of tears and frustration, her mom saw something else – both coaches and a handful of the older players began intentionally encouraging her daughter after each play. As a result, Cassidy’s confidence soared! By the end of the week, she had not only gained some valuable passing skills, but a new outlook on teamwork and perseverance.
Several months later, she came home from school in tears – a boy had made fun of her volleyball passes in gym class that afternoon. Gently, her mom reminded her of her experience at summer camp. Together they prayed for the courage to be confident no matter what other students say or think. The next day, Cassidy walked in the door after school with a huge grin. The bully hadn’t changed, but her perspective had:
“I knew I was doing the right form we learned at camp, so instead of getting sad, I figured I could go help some of the girls who never played before…And they got so much better when I showed them what to do! I felt like a real coach!”
– Cassidy, 3rd Grade
That’s “rest-of-their-lives” value. That’s 12th Rock Sports.
Check out the details for our Girls’ Summer Volleyball Camp coming up July 20-24, or our All-Abilities Field Days on the evenings of July 15 & 17!