Now that summer is in full swing, the Cheyenne River Youth Project® has announced an exciting roster of wellness events for the month of July. These run the gamut, from sports camps and clinics, to the ever-popular Midnight Basketball and Junior Midnight Basketball programs, to special activities in the brand-new CRYP Fitness Center.
On July 2-3, CRYP is offering a basketball camp for ages 6-12. The camp will run from 4 to 5:30 p.m. each day. Also on July 2-3 is a Skills Challenges Clinic for ages 13-18, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each day.
Basketball fun will continue during Eagle Butte Hometown Days. CRYP Wellness Coordinator Tammy Granados is arranging a 5-on-5 Youth Basketball Tournament for July 20, starting at 8 p.m. and concluding at 1 a.m.
“We’ll have boys, girls and intramural all in one division, ages 13-18, with six players awarded,” Granados advised. “We’re asking those interested in signing up to call our offices at 964-8200.”
The not-for-profit youth project also will host a Teen Mentor Basketball Camp for ages 6-12 on July 23-24, Scheduled for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day, the camp will allow teen players to mentor and support the younger children as they practice skills and play the game.
“And of course we still have Midnight Basketball and Junior Midnight Basketball every Friday night,” Granados commented. “We follow that up with skills challenges during open gym hours on Saturday.”
But it’s not all about basketball. CRYP is offering Zumba classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center dance studio; the classes are open to ages 13-18. In addition, the youth project has scheduled a Field Day for ages 4-12 on July 18, a volleyball tournament on July 25 and a DJ Dance for the teens on July 26.
CRYP also is pleased to announce formal wellness programming in its new fitness center, which is fully stocked with a variety of cardio machines — including recumbent bicycles, spinning bikes, elliptical machines and treadmills — as well as strength-training equipment. Granados will offer circuit training at 4-5 p.m. on Mondays and “Power Hour” at 4-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The CRYP Fitness Center is open to ages 13-18. Anyone interested in using the new facility must complete a series of necessary forms and waivers; simply call 964-8200 for further information and to obtain the forms.
“We require the forms, a physical assessment and an orientation to make sure that each participant understands his or her own fitness level, how to use the various pieces of equipment and the risks inherent in vigorous exercise with such equipment,” Granados explained. “We also want to make sure users understand that I am there to assist and guide workouts. I can help them design and pursue exercise programs that are tailored to their unique needs.”
Granados recently earned a Cooper Fitness Specialist certification through The Cooper Institute, which is based in Texas. The 30-hour course provided her with the specific knowledge and skills required to provide safe, effective and progressive exercise programs. It included lectures, hands-on screening techniques, fitness assessments, case-study design and daily testing.
“We covered a lot of topics, such as fitness and wellness, coronary risk factors, medical screening, anatomy and kinesiology, blood pressure and body composition, exercise physiology, goal setting, strength and flexibility training, cardiovascular training, nutrition and behavior change,” Granados said. “It’s a very well-rounded program!”
In addition to passing all required written and practical tests, Granados also earned her CPR certification.
“We’re proud of Tammy’s accomplishments, and we’re thrilled that we can offer this level of guidance and supervision in our Fitness Center,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “This is an exciting year for us, as we bring additional wellness programs online and open the doors to our new fitness facility on a regular basis. It’s going to mean great things for our kids.”
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project® and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visitwww.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project®, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.