Gold Award Spotlight: Cait’s Lacrosse Clinic
Girl Scout Ambassador Caitlyn in Troop 1659 earned the Gold Award by completing a project she titled, “Cait’s Lacrosse Clinic.” This Girl Scout has a passion for lacrosse and wanted to create opportunities for exposure to the sport for kids in her community. She worked with Margaret Senecal, director of youth sports and fitness at Langley Air Force Base (LAFB) in Hampton, Virginia, to organize and host several lacrosse clinics for military youth in grades K-8.
During the clinics, Caitlyn worked alongside youth to practice basics like how to hold a lacrosse stick and how to catch a ball, then later advanced to games and relay races. After each session, students were given feedback on their performance and were able to track their skills and progress from one clinic session to the next.
“Most military children have not been exposed to lacrosse because of the curriculum structure, the public perception, and military families’ frequent moves,” Caitlyn said. “The children who participate in the clinics will have a healthy outlet while learning new skills, forging new friendships, and hopefully will develop a passion for lacrosse. Studies have shown that participating in organized, well-structured youth sports and ongoing physical activities play an important role in a young person’s life including teaching teamwork and problem-solving skills.”
Along with the in-person clinics, she also created a YouTube video series where viewers can follow along as she teaches the basic rules and functions of the game. She organized a relationship between April Loquist, lacrosse coach of Tabb High School in Yorktown, Virginia and Margaret Senecal of LAFB where high school lacrosse players will volunteer to sustain the annual clinics beyond her involvement.
Caitlyn’s Gold Award project was featured in a piece from Williamsburg Yorktown Daily on October 20, 2022, at wydaily.com.
