The Workout:
8 kids to a team. Before departing everyone must carry a load, whether its a kettlebell in each hand or wear a backpack with 45 lbs in it. Then walk outside around the park (which is across the street) for 30 minutes without stopping or putting down weight. Those carrying kettlebells must switch half way through the walk with those wearing backpacks.
No its not punishment:>) ....it's a FUN fitness challenge and test to your strength and fortitude.
*Yeah that is me in the picture leading the pack with two kettlebells by my side. It's hard to tell someone to do something if not willing to do it yourself.
As I wrote in a previous post, it can be real tough at times training and mentoring young kids, especially kids from the city that are faced with daily obstacles and struggles that most people don't have to deal with. The fact is many of these kids deal with a lot of drama and issues in their lives that kids there age should not have to experience. You may think you have stress in your life, until you hear stories from others and realize they pale in comparison. But just like when crossfitting and dealing with the discomfort of the workout....we are taught to embrace the suckiness and deal with adversity....as these kids continue to do each and every day. Words can't describe how proud I am of them and how lucky I feel to have the priveledge of being in a position where I can help these younger people out.
Yesterday I recieved a series of texts from a long standing member of Steve's Club that not only blew me away, but reinforced to me that there is no greater feeling than helping or being there for someone in need.
[I edited the grammar and text lingo to make it readable].
"I just really do appreciate everything cause I've been going through stuff with the family and I'm happy that I have a friend like you cause I need a positive person to keep my doing good and I appreciate everything your doing for me and I'll try my best to help you any way possible. I'm glad I came to Steve's Club it helped me so much and I'm glad your doing this cause its gonna help a lot of kids like me and change them like I've never met some one that is willing to help our people you don't know cause you want them to do good your the best positive thats ever been there and life I said before I'll do my best to help you out in every way. Thanks Steve your a real friend probably the best one that was there for me I never had no one that believe in me til you and I thank you with everything."
The greatest discovery any outsider could make about Camden is it's overriding response to failure: If it didn’t work last year, do it AGAIN this year (and if possible do it MORE).
Every year they pass more laws, hire more police, build more prisons, and sentence more offenders for longer periods-all without moving one inch closer to “ending” crime. If it didn’t work last year or the year before that or the year before that or the year before that, but you can be sure we’ll try it again this year, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that it won’t work this year either.
Every year they spend more money on schools, hoping to “fix” whatever’s wrong with them, and every year the schools remain stubbornly unfixed. Spending money didn’t work last year or the year before that or the year before that, but you can be sure we’ll try it again this year, knowing beyond shadow of a doubt that it won’t work this year either.
Every year they try to make the criminals go away, and every year they remain with us. We couldn’t shoehorn these criminals back into the “the mainstream” last year or the year before that or the year before that or the year before that, but you can be sure we’ll try it again this year, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that it won’t work this year either.
Maybe its time to TRY something DIFFERENT.
Afterall, IF Camden is saved, it will not be saved by old minds with new programs but by new minds with no programs at all.
Much of my inspiration comes from Daniel Quinn in "Ishmael."
Steve,
You are awesome! What an inspiration.
Posted by: Leah VanHoose | September 09, 2009 at 08:02 AM
i believe in what you are doing!!
Posted by: Ryan Kenny | September 09, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Keep up the positive work..........
Posted by: Jeb | September 09, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Steve created something fantastic. As someone who has visited Steve's Club, I think Steve is understating how spectacular it is. Steve has a great group of young adults. Steve has his handful and both Steve and his athletes can really use some help if anyone is in a position to contribute. I happened to luck out and stop by when Ron Jaworksi (the former NFL QB) came to visit. He was also sold on these kids and is now lending a hand.
Posted by: Mike Halbfish | September 09, 2009 at 09:56 PM
Good stuff, Steve. I will be in touch soon, I would like to bring some Malvern kids down for a workout challenge in the near future.
Sorry we couldn't make it for Tribe Wars, life got in the way.
Posted by: Erik Miller | September 10, 2009 at 02:36 PM