Team 6: August 1-August 15

Team 6, consisting of Nathan Danielson (St. Paul) along with Justin and Rachel Castanza (Montgomery, Alabama-Camp Chandler) began their journey on the Reservation on August 1st. The first few days were spent transitioning with Team 5 and making some great connections with youth and adult community members. They were also able to follow up with some of the previous participants from the community dialogues that the support staff conducted earlier this summer and encouraged volunteerism with them. During Team 5 and 6's transition, Robie Wayne (Senior Vice President of Financial Development-MPLS) was also visiting the Cheyenne River Reservation.  Both teams were able to connect with Robie and learn more about the history of the Sioux YMCA Initiative.

Team 6 brought their individual talents and areas of expertise to the Sioux YMCA and spent time building relationships with staff, board members and volunteers and assisted them in developing the YMCA. Nate worked on tech support including getting all of their computers working, streamlining operations and beginning to build a new and improved website. Justin used his camp knowledge and developed a strategic planning calendar to help the Sioux YMCA achieve their goal of opening up Camp Marrowbone again. Rachel provided office support, assisted with the meal program and worked on organizing the office and pole barn which is full of the Sioux YMCA's supplies.

In the communities, Team 6 had many conversations and planted seeds about the importance of education as a key to success. They also encouraged many of the talented youth to create their own baseball team and will continue to work with adults in the community to support the youth in this. The team worked hard to make the environment in the communities a safer one by encouraging social responsibility by organizing garbage clean ups, repairing broken bikes, (which is the main form of entertainment and mobility for the majority of the youth) and mowing grass to make their play areas safer. Team 6 coordinated a very successful "Movie Night" which was held in two of the communities during their last week and worked with Sioux YMCA Program Manager, Denise, to develop this into a sustainable program.  This provided a safe environment for the families and children in the communities to gather and also solidify their connections to the Sioux YMCA staff.  Denise plans to continue with some of the programming that the Initiative teams started throughout the summer in the communities we served.

Leadership Team staff, Derek Madsen and Lisa Pung, visited the Sioux YMCA and Team 6 during their last few days and were able to see first hand that the hard work and dedication of the participants of the 2010 Sioux YMCA Initiative did make a lasting impression in each of the communities that were served. It is apparent now more than ever that the YMCA has a strong presence on the Reservation as a result of this Initiative and that the time spent here continues to positively change the lives of not only the youth and families it serves, but also the staff who participate.

Team 5: July 21-August 4

Team 5 headed out for their adventure to the Sioux YMCA on July 21st. The team, consisting of Nancy Upke (YMCA of the USA), Krissy Kelly (MPLS), and Derek Otto (St. Paul), was anxious to get their start on the Cheyenne River Reservation after a summer of anticipation. Their first evening in Dupree was spent at a Memorial Service for the Executive Director of the Sioux YMCA, Bill Wetzel. The service was a spectacular turnout of remembrance and support from the communities. Bill's journey with the YMCA and his work in the community were immensely supported. There were traditional songs played in honor of Bill, as well as sharing by community members of his great life.

Team 5 began building relationships with youth immediately in La Plant on their first day of programming. One of the youth, Julian, gave the team a tour and connected them with other youth in the community that have been participating in YMCA programming throughout the summer. Teams 4 and 5 spent a fun filled day playing water games with the youth to keep cool in both LaPlant and Swiftbird. The remainder of week one was spent transitioning with Team 4, learning more about the culture on the Cheyenne River Reservation and continuing to build the relationships and connection to the Sioux YMCA with youth and adults in the communities.

During their second week, Team 5 continued their adventure of exploring and gaining a realistic picture of life for the youth on the Reservation. Their programming shifted from games into intense conversations about respecting the environment, animals, and other people in all four communities. The youth appeared to be very receptive to the information and Team 5 was very successful in creating a fun, safe, and respectful environment.

Team 5 wrapped up their trip with a large number of small group interactions and the planning of an event upon the arrival of Team 6. The team planned a gathering where community members, as well as newly acquired donors and supporters of the Sioux YMCA were able to come together. This event brought great energy and excitement to the communities as well as the arrival of Team 6. The unique experiences Team 5 had with the youth and their ability to extend their reach to the involvement of volunteers and supporters definitely strengthened the communities' and people of the Cheyenne River Reservations' relationship to the YMCA.