Team 2: June 18-July 2

Team 2, consisting of Ashley Burke (ATC), Louise Bilek, (MPLS), Michelle Lanz (MPLS) and Erin Watson (YMCA of the USA), headed out on June 19th for their stay on the Cheyenne River Reservation.  Their first two days were spent working with Team 1 on hosting the "Olympic Games" in all four of the communities we serve.  The games were designed so that youth of all ages and abilities could participate, which brought many of the youth together who wouldn't normally interact.  The games proved to be a huge success in each of the communities; bringing out large crowds of youth.  Team 2 stated that "the youth arrived with large bags of potato chips and bottles of soda, but left exercised and enjoyed eating the apples and oranges we brought."

With four people on their team, Team 2 was able to offer various programming with varying levels of age-appropriate activities for children of all abilities.  Team 2 also worked hard on incorporating the local Lakota culture into their programming, including creating a game they named "Four Corners" to teach the children the core values of the Sioux YMCA and learning some words in Lakota from the children.  Team 2 stated that they "saw how the kids really look out for each other" and enjoy showing people their community so they decided to plan a scavenger hunt in each community to take place as Team 3 arrives.  The scavenger hunt was "awesome" according to one of the young boys who participated!

Traditionally, the incoming Team is greeted when they arrive on the Reservation with a "Welcome Dinner" with Bill, the Executive Director of the Sioux YMCA. Team 2 made arrangements to include a Sioux YMCA board member and a volunteer with the Sioux YMCA, and Denise, the Program Director at the Sioux YMCA.  As Team 2 departs to head back home from their stay on the Reservation they stated "All in all Team 2 is sad to be saying goodbye, happy with the work that we have done and excited to see the following teams keep up all of the great work that they YMCA is doing for the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation."

Ashley and Michelle watch as Louise plays a game of "Entourage" with a youth...

And the winner is...

Angelo!