Kids Sports Stars

The specific objective of the Kids Sports Stars Summer Program was to provide exercise and sports activities for the girls in Florence Crittenton’s residential program during the summer when they have few opportunities for physical activity. This allowed them to release their aggressions in a healthy manner and condition their bodies against illness and overweight.

The girls participated in swimming, water aerobics, working out in the fitness center, gym class, weight training, running on the treadmill, stair stepping and yoga, Pilates, and numerous other cardio activities. Girls were bused to the YMCA three mornings a week for two hours of swim, aerobics and the use of physical fitness cardio-vascular equipment. On the other two days, girls participated for two hours in volleyball, track and work-outs. Staff ratio was 1 staff person to 5 girls bringing the total to 8 staff. In addition, the physical education teacher and his assistant were involved in the program. They transported girls and guided them in the sports activities that took place on campus.

Feedback from staff who managed the program was very positive. Of the 38 girls in the program, every one of them (100%) participated in the athletic program. The girls were disappointed when the program was over. Residential staff noted that they were more energetic, less defiant and had better attitudes during the summer.

The opening event for the Kids Sports Stars Summer Program occurred on Friday, June 3. Each girl received a bag with shoes, shorts, a shirt, a towel and a swim suit and given the parameters of the program and how to win an achievement award. The awards program was held on august 12, prior to school beginning. Each girls who had a 90% or above participation rank was given a “Discman.” Achievement certificates were given to girls who participated 70% of the time.

Of the five measurable outcomes projected, four were accomplished at higher rates than anticipated.

Projection: 90% of the girls will participate in the summer athletic program
Actual Outcome: 100% of the girls participated in the summer athletic program
Data Collection Method: Attendance and participation forms.
Projection: 60% of the girls will exhibit increased self-esteem
Actual Outcome: 60% of the girls exhibited increased self-esteem
Data Collection Method: Staff observation recorded in client daily logs and therapy progress notes.
Projection: 30% of the girls will exhibit higher levels of tolerance and fewer outbursts
Actual Outcome: 50% of the girls exhibited higher levels of tolerance and fewer outbursts (The number of incident reports concerning aggressive behavior went from 15 in July to 5 for the first two weeks of August)
Data Collection Method: Logging of Incident Reports, which are entered in to the monthly CQI report
Projection: 50% of the girls will have reduced complaints about illness
Actual Outcome: 60% of the girls had reduced complaints about illness
Data Collection Method: Nurse’s reports.
Projection: 70% of the girls with weight problems will lose a minimum of 10 pounds during the summer.
Actual Outcome: 60% of the girls with weight problems lost weight, the most being 11 pounds. Most of the girls were uncomfortable about being weighed, so tracking was done by observation and individual reporting.
Data Collection Method: Weigh-ins at beginning and at end of the program.

“Kellie,” age 14, was resistant to the program at first, saying that she did not like to exercise. With encouragement from the staff, she began using the machines and participating in a hip hop dance class at the YMCA which gave her a cardio work out and had fun learning to dance. After a few weeks, she began to like working out and continues to do so through workout videos provided in our on-site fitness center.

“Sara,” age 15, enjoyed working out from the outset. Swimming was her favorite activity. She is now one of the girls that work out regularly each night to an exercise video.

The summer program provided the initial motivation for many of the girls to establish regular exercise routines on their own. Some girls participate in yoga and Pilates classes offered after school four days a week. They report feeling better and staff members see a difference in behavior as a result of the outlet exercise provided for the anger and frustration these girls live with.

CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDE SHOW ON THE 2005 PROGRAM

From the director of Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona, Linda Volheim:

"…through the generous support of KIDS SPORTS STARS, we are able to offer 'our 40' girls a summer full of fun, healthy and healing experiences the likes of which they have never known. This summer began with an exciting kick-off celebration to introduce the KSS SUMMER ACHIEVERS PROGRAM, generously funded by the KSS . This program provides the girls the opportunity to swim, exercise and play sports each day at local parks and the YMCA, enriching both their physical and emotional health. These activities allow them to release their aggressions in a healthy manner, learn about teamwork, and condition their bodies against illness and becoming overweight. The KSS SUMMER ACHIEVERS PROGRAM was very successful in proving that physical activity is both emotionally and physically beneficial."

Program Impact	Goal	Outcome
Girls participating in the summer athletic program	90%	100%
Girls exhibiting increased self-esteem	60%	60%
Girls exhibiting higher levels of tolerance and fewer outbursts	30%	50%
Girls having reduced complaints about illness	50%	60%
Girls with weight problems losing 10 pounds during the summer	70%	50%

Feedback from the girls says it best:
“I was one of the many girls who were able to attend the program in the summer. Going to the YMCA made me feel better about myself because I was exercising and losing weight. It helped build my self-esteem. Water aerobics was one of my favorite activities to do at the YMCA. It was a new experience for me and many of the other girls. I really appreciate that we got the opportunity to experience a variety of things most of us never even knew about.”

-- Brooke D., Cottage 3

“Because of KSS I got a chance to work out and have fun. I lost a little weight also. I liked getting off campus and it made me feel better about myself. I’m thankful that they wanted to do something like that for us. It made me feel good because I was losing weight and I had fun. My favorite activity was racquet ball.”

-- Kassie B., Cottage 2

*Because most of the girls were uncomfortable about being weighed, tracking relied on observation and individual reporting. The largest weight loss was 8 pounds. Tracking will involve a nurse in the future..