Striving to impact youth in the development of self-confidence, self-discipline, and dedication for the skills necessary to succeed in sports and in life. 

 

by posted 05/17/2013
 
Parents and Student Athletes,

There will be no clinics, practices or games this weekend due to the holiday.

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!

Thanks,

Coach Charlie
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by Charlie Scott posted 04/01/2013
 
Parents and Student Athletes, 

We are excited to announce the Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse Saturday Academy.  The Saturday Academy is an education/mentoring program that will help foster the academic growth of student athletes in a safe and nuturing environment.  The program is open to boys and girls grades K - 8.  Meeting time and location to be determined.

Please contact Charles Scott - Program Director for more information re: the Saturday Academy.



Thanks,

Charles Scott
Program Director
Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse
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by Charlie Scott posted 04/01/2013
 
BYL Parents,

It's Penny Harvest Time!!!  One of our mothers (Nicole Davenport) had a great idea and asked that we organize a Penny Harvest for our student athletes.  Please assist your student athlete(s) in collecting as many pennies as they can (from family, friends, school, church, etc.) and bring them to practice every Saturday.  Our goal is to collect 100,000 pennies by the end of the Spring.  The collections will be used to fund a community service project (to be selected and organized by our student athletes).  We will also use the collections to reward our student athletes for their academic, athletic and community service accomplishments during the Spring.

Below, please find some great information regarding the Common Cents Penny Harvest (www.commoncents.org) and its benefits to our children.

Thanks,

Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse
 

ABOUT THE PENNY HARVEST

The Common Cents Penny Harvest grew from one child’s desire to feed the homeless, and since 1991, children between the ages of four and 14 have been converting their natural compassion for others into action by collecting pennies and turning those pennies into grants for community organizations - $8.1 million in grants donated by children since 1991! 
 
The Penny Harvest shows young people they have the ability to make the world a better place by introducing them to the power of philanthropy and service during their formative years.  As children help others, they develop their generosity and moral character, and they learn through practice the skills and responsibilities of democratic participation.

Principals and parents find that the Penny Harvest encourages a caring culture and sense of belonging; teachers see it as an opportunity to enhance curriculum through a blend of service-learning, character education, and child philanthropy; community leaders value the millions of dollars and hours that children donate back to better our communities; and kids like the program because it’s fun!  
 

These Pennies Really Add Up!

During 09/10, Penny Harvest students across the country collectively raised an astonishing $756,273.19 in pennies. These elementary and middle school students then turned their pennies into thousands of grants and service projects to better their communities.

Founder and Executive Director Teddy Gross puts it this way: “We at Common Cents regard America’s billion dollar resource of idle pennies –found in startling quantities in the homes of both the rich and poor–as the philanthropic property of young people.  For this reason, every penny the children collect is theirs to give away in an educational group process.”

 

Philanthropy & Service

After the fall penny collection, the students delve into the heart of the program by forming Philanthropy Roundtables to study community problems and to determine which organizations could best alleviate those problems, and then in the spring they use the money they collected earlier to make grants.  Last year youngsters made thousands of cash grants community organizations, such as homeless shelters, animal rescue organizations, community gardens and senior centers.
 
Students often want to do more and do so by completing Neighborhood Service projects. Last year’s hundreds of service projects included teaching English to immigrants; replacing graffiti with inspirational murals; collecting supplies for the troops in Iraq; assisting teenage mothers; and planting community gardens.
 
Annually, Common Cents and our Penny Harvest partners provide thousands of hours in training to more than 800 Penny Harvest coaches (teachers, librarians and parent coordinators) and creates a comprehensive national curriculum guide, which helps teachers connect philanthropy and service to a wide array of classroom subjects, including math, science, English, art and music.  Every school also receives crates of materials, including canvas collection sacks, colorful penny bags, stickers, posters and honorary leader pins—everything necessary to conduct a successful Penny Harvest. 

 

 

 
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by Charlie Scott posted 03/31/2013
 
Parents

You, the parent, are equally as important to your child's positive lacrosse experience as the coach of the team. In order for your child to get the most out of playing lacrosse, it is important that you do the following:
 

1) Be supportive of your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his or her team. Positive reinforcement encourages learning and fun.

2) Attend games whenever possible. If you cannot attend, ask about your child’s experience, not whether the team won or lost. Some questions that you might ask before asking about the final score include: "Did you try as hard as you could? Did you have fun? Did you learn anything today that might make you a better player in the future?"

3) Be a positive role model by displaying good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, officials, opponents and your child’s teammates. "Honoring the Game" is an important part of what US Lacrosse represents. Help us by honoring the game in your behavior as a spectator.

4) Let your child set his own goals and play the game for himself, herself. Be your child’s "home court advantage" by giving him or her your unconditional support regardless of how well he or she performs.

5) Let the coach coach. Refrain from giving your child advice when he or she is playing. Use positive reinforcement with your child’s coach. Let the coach know when he or she is doing a good job.

6) Respect the decisions of the referee or umpire. This is an important part of honoring the game. Your child will pay more attention to how you act than to what you say.

7) Read the rulebook. A full understanding of the rules will help you enjoy the game and educate others.

8) Get to know who is in charge. Meet with the leadership of the program, whether it’s school sponsored or recreational, to discuss topics such as cost, practice and game scheduling, insurance coverage, emergency procedures, etc.

9) Get involved! A great way to support your child's lacrosse experience is by becoming a volunteer for the program.

10) Sit back and enjoy the game. Remember, lacrosse is played for FUN.

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