We’ll be hosting two major wellness activities during the weekend of June 7-9. First, our 2013 Midnight Basketball season will kick off at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 7; the evening will include a special MBB breakfast from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday. Then we’ll host a special fitness training certification program at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9.
Created in 1996 by a former long-term CRYP volunteer, Midnight Basketball remains one of the nearly 25-year-old, not-for-profit youth project’s most successful programs. Held every Friday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Cokata Wiconi teen center gymnasium, MBB is open to youth ages 13 to 18 and includes music and refreshments. Throughout the June-to-August summer season, teens may participate in pick-up games as well as organized activities inspired by the NBA All-Star Game, such as a dunk contest, a three-point shootout and a skills challenge. The season culminates with a 5-on-5 tournament, and the top three teams win prizes.
“We don’t have malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys or arcades on the reservation, so Midnight Basketball provides one of the only positive outlets that Cheyenne River’s youth have on a Friday night,” said Tammy Eagle Hunter, CRYP’s youth programs director and longtime wellness coordinator. “The activities are so much fun that even kids who normally get into trouble around town choose to come to Cokata Wiconi to play ball and hang out with their friends rather than stay on the streets.”
The proof is in local law enforcement statistics. Community-wide crime levels go down on MBB nights. That, Eagle Hunter says, makes MBB vital for the well-being of the entire community.
All children and teens must be sober to attend MBB and JMBB. No alcohol, drugs, tobacco, abusive language, fighting or gang colors are tolerated. Everyone must sign in on arrival and sign out upon departure, and since teens generally sign out after the City of Eagle Butte’s 10 p.m. curfew, each teen has a 15-grace period after sign-out to get home. Parents are welcome to visit Cokata Wiconi to visit with their children. CRYP keeps all sign-in/sign-out sheets on file, so parents also may call on Monday mornings to verify their children’s attendance.
“Midnight Basketball is supported by our local law enforcement officers and the local school system, both which provide volunteers to help staff the weekly events,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “Their support helps us bridge gaps in the community: Through the adult volunteers, donors and supporters, Midnight Basketball brings generations together; and through the police officers who give their time, we’re building another important relationship.”
Garreau said the Cheyenne River community itself is strongly in favor of the Midnight Basketball Program, which fosters healthy and sober lifestyles, physical fitness, personal responsibility, teamwork and positive self-esteem among its treasured young people.
“It also helps alleviate bullying,” she commented, “because it brings together all kids — not just the ‘cool kids.’”
Once the MBB season-opener winds down at 2 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, CRYP staff and volunteers will have just hours to get ready for hosting the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) fitness certification program later that morning. The two-day NETA program allows each participant to earn the appropriate credentials to work as a personal trainer.
“It’s a two-year certification,” Eagle Hunter explained. “The weekend includes one full day of training, one half day of training and a final test. It’s a great opportunity — not only to get certified for your own health and wellness, but so you can inspire other people in your life to do the same by sharing your new skills and knowledge.”
CRYP will provide the Cokata Wiconi gymnasium, classroom and fitness center for this special NETA event. The two-day program costs $449, and topics will include exercise science, health and fitness assessments, exercise programming for healthy adults, exposure to cardiovascular and strength training equipment, dynamics of communication and leadership skills.
To register, visit netafit.org, click on the personal trainer link, and find “Cheyenne River Youth Project” in the list of available options.