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Girls-in-Sports 2000, the first-ever statewide super
sports camp for Girl Scouts, was held February 5 and attracted more
than 1,500 participants, age 9-18, from around the state. Seventy of
the participants were from Girl Scout Troops in Miami-Dade and Monroe
Counties.
Pinecrest residents (left to right) Elizabeth Huamonte, Christina and
Allyson Golden were among the more than 1,500 Girl Scouts from around
the state who participated in the first-ever Girls-n-Sports super
sports camp at Disney's Wide
The event was part of a national Girl Scout initiative
to encourage more girls to participate in sports. It was held at Walt
Disney World's new state-of-the-art Wide World of Sports Complex in
Orlando and was co-presented by the Amateur Athletic Union.
During the intensive one-day sports camp, Girl Scouts
participated in six different sports clinics, including soccer taught
by the American Youth Soccer Organization; field hockey, taught by Dr.
Jane Greenburg, the physical education supervisor for M-DCC Public
Schools and the current chair of sport development for USA Field
Hockey; softball, taught by Linda Derk, one of the pioneers of women's
pro softball; tennis, taught by Loretta Strickland, the Florida
Section coordinator of the U.S. Tennis Association; track and field,
taught by Marsha Wentworth, head coach of the University of Florida's
track and field program; and volleyball, taught by members of the
Orlando Volleyball Association.
There were interactive booths where Girl Scouts could
try hitting a hole-in-one at the LPGA Girls Golf Club booth;
participate in The NFL Experience; learn how to fast pitch from the
New York Yankees; practice with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; score a goal
with the Tampa Bay Lightning; or navigate an obstacle
course with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
Experts in such sports as
Tae Kwon Do and wrestling gave demonstrations.
"This was an
opportunity for Girl Scouts throughout Florida to learn more about
sports and to encourage them to get more involved in sports,"
said Amy Leonard, program services specialist for the Girl Scout
Council of Tropical Florida. "The clinics taught them the basic
rules of the sports, let them see the equipment and the uniforms, and
allowed them to get a first-hand experience of what each sport is
like.
"In many instances,
girls aren't aware that they are able to participate in certain sports
and we wanted to increase their familiarity with these and all sports
so that they would be more likely to participate in them at home, in
their schools and clubs."
Leonard added that
research has indicated that sport participation is a good way to help
girls build their self esteem and self-confidence. It also teaches
team-building skills, while encouraging excellence as an individual.
"While many people
still associate Girl Scouts with cookies and camping, our mission is
to inspire girls," Leonard said. "Sports is a great way to
inspire girls to become the best they can be."
The event ended with an Olympic-style march through the stadium, as
each troop was honored by their peers with cheers and a 'snowstorm' of
confetti.
"The participants
seemed to love this event," Leonard said. "I've heard
nothing but positive feedback, and they're already asking if we can to
it again next year.
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