New Middle School Golf & Rowing Summer Camp Empowers Youth through Sports

development6812
Sep 2
2 min read

The results are in on our first-ever golf and rowing summer camp in partnership with First Tee Oakland and Oakland Strokes Rowing—a new, zero-cost offering for middle schoolers that expands their access into sports and sports-related careers!

Each day began at Tidewater Boating Center, where participants learned the basics of rowing and enjoyed the excitement of being on the water. From there, girls transitioned to Metropolitan Golf Links for golfing 101, where they learned the fundamentals of the game and worked on refining their swings.

A highlight of camp was Empowerment Day, a mini mentoring event bringing together women who were both athletes and in sports-related careers, including:

Veronne Clark, Director of Community, Golden State Valkyries (basketball)
Courtney Johnson Clendinen, Chief Programs Officer, Girls Inc. of Alameda County
Laura Geist, General Manager, Oakland Ballers (baseball)
Carla Jourdan, Head of Community Programs, Oakland Strokes (rowing)
Rebecca Martinez, Program Director, First Tee Oakland (golf)
Khali Blackman-Newton, Director of Community Engagement, Positive Coaching Alliance

Mentors shared their journeys into sports, their experiences as women in (and on) the field, and what a typical day in their careers looks like. Youth had the chance to ask questions, gain insight into the world of sports, and learn about the paths available to them as athletes and professionals.

The camp was about more than playing sports. By participating, girls gained exposure to sports that have historically had limited access for women. They learned about future opportunities including potential college scholarships and careers in industries where women of color have long been underrepresented. And, it was a chance for them to build confidence, hone new skills, and envision themselves in spaces where they may have never seen others like them before.

“I’ve never thought about playing golf before,” reflected 6th grader Cataleya. “At camp I learned that I really like it, and I want to start playing for real!”

Investing in opportunities like this ensures that more girls have the chance to break barriers in sports and beyond.

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Special thanks to East Bay Community Foundation and Title Nine for supporting this incredible opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of women in sports!