Playworks: Final Day 5

Friday March 26^th

The last day of our Alternative Spring Break was incredibly bittersweet. While we were extremely pumped for silence, real beds, and private showers, we were all devastated to leave the people and children of whom we had created great relationships. Trying to not let our sadness and disappointment get the best of us, the OG’s headed off to make our last day the best day. At Whittier, there are two grand playgrounds full of equipment. Coach Roo explained that most fights and injuries occurred on these large playgrounds and as a result the children were not allowed to play on them. It was only on “Freestyle Fridays” that children were allowed to make the choice if they wanted to play on the playgrounds or participate in the structured games and activities found elsewhere. Friday was also the day that Coach Roo allowed “Fumble Rumble” to be played in the yard of the recess and fifth grade boys immediately began wimping up on each other in a game of supposedly two-hand touch football. It was very interesting for me to see that while the playground was open, that they preferred the structure of the games that they had played throughout the week and typically chose those over the roughhousing of the playground. Friday is the day where I saw my improvement in Six Square really shine. Throughout the week, I had been repeatedly and mercilessly beaten up on during the game of Six Square, a rendition of the beloved Four Square. It was after the advice of a popular (and strong Six Square Player) to stay on my toes, that I was able to make a dent in the game of Six Square, even making it to the number one square (once, for about five seconds). Ultimately, we had the time of our lives during our Spring Break trip to Whittier Elementary. As we hugged and high-fived the kids goodbye, a part of me was extremely gloomy that this would be our last encounter, but a part of me felt extremely blessed to have met and worked with these wonderful children all week long.