Virtual programming has taken off at PCAS.
Since our April post where Andrea Pampaloni described our five new virtual programs of yoga, youth track and field, indoor rowing, and two group fitness options, we’ve added a sixth program — virtual martial arts. (See below for more details on yoga and rowing.) From the participation and the feedback we’ve received, these programs are a success and are keeping our members active and engaged.
PCAS Announces Its New Advisory Council
While we continue to deliver our new virtual programs and continue our research into additional options, PCAS has started planning for the return to in-person programs. To assist in the strategy and planning, PCAS is in the process of forming an Advisory Council, made up of athletes, parents, and volunteers, to guide us in this process.
The mission of the Advisory Council is:
To assist PCAS in the development of our COVID-19 sports programs re-entry plan
To support the ongoing refinement of the plan as dictated by the rapidly changing requirements driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as by guidance from the CDC and Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA)
To assure that the re-entry plan addresses the health, wellness, and safety needs of our athletes, caregivers, volunteers, and observers
To develop policies and procedures to guide daily operations with face-to-face activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
To guide PCAS in additional virtual programming, as needed
The following criteria were used to identify PCAS members who were asked to join the Advisory Council.
PCAS Advisory Council members are required to:
Have a deep knowledge of PCAS sports programs, including the equipment and assistance provided to our athletes
Understand the importance of, and be passionate about, physical activity programming for people with disabilities
Have knowledge of public health, infection control, risk management, and / or healthcare administration
Additional subject matter experts will be consulted as needed, including Program Coordinators, Schuylkill Navy, host facilities, and State and Regional Departments of Public Health.
We will keep members informed here on our website and via our newsletter. So check back in June for more details on our re-entry plan. Sign up below to join our email list.
(Contributor: Lynn McGillin)
PCAS PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Lexi West
Lexi (middle), with the "girls she adores the most”: Sage Foraker (left) and Macyn Kronmuller (right)
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No! It’s PCAS youth athlete Lexi West streaking across the track.
Lexi started running as soon as she learned to walk and she never stopped, according to her mother Michelle “Lexi loves running, and when she runs, she’s pretty fast – she just takes off sprinting.” Lexi was introduced to the Track & Field program when she was a mere 5 years old and got involved in earnest a few years later. Now a 9 year old finishing the 3rd grade, Lexi is a multi-talented track & field athlete, having qualified for Nationals in every event she has entered, including the 60-, 100-, 200-, and 400-meter running events, and shot put, discus, javelin and long jump.
Hopeful that Youth Track & Field meets will resume in the near future, Lexi stays in top form through the PCAS virtual programming. Coach Darla Clayton leads team members through workouts that include strength training exercises like high kicks, butt kicks, push-ups, planks, and burpees. And now that the weather is nicer, Lexi can move her indoor running-in-place to the outside and “toss” her shot put and discus in the yard.
Lexi competing in the long jump…
Lexi extends her love of running to other sports, including soccer and basketball. She took advantage of having to “stay at home” by learning to ride a two-wheeled bike, moving from a 12” to a 20” bike within weeks so she could keep up with her twin sister and her brother. Says Michelle, “If Lexi gets it in her head that she wants to do something, she gets it done. She doesn’t give up, and wants to prove that she can do it.“ Lexi also loves drawing and music, and looks forward to playing an instrument when she gets to the 4th grade.
…and throwing the discus
One of the best things about PCAS is making friends. Lexi has quickly bonded with two other athletes in her age group, and seeing them together is just amazing. They support each other on and off the field, playing on the sidelines and getting advice about competition and life in general from their middle school teammates. Lexi is inspired by another PCAS athlete, Michelle Wheeler, a member of the 2019 US Paralympics Track and Field Marathon World Championships Team, and a contender for the 2021 Paralympics games. Lexi’s mom says Michelle has been generous with her time and is a tremendous role model for the young competitors. Michelle provided the following words of encouragement to Lexi “You have what it takes and you, alone are enough! No matter what happens, keep pushing forward!” Michelle stressed, "it’s so important for our youth to get involved in adaptive sports and PCAS has done such an amazing job getting everyone involved.”
We wish Lexi and her teammates all the best as they continue their training with fingers crossed for meets to resume soon.
PCAS PROGRAMS
Virtual Yoga and Virtual Indoor Rowing
Our yoga program has moved online.
A month ago, we began our virtual yoga program with our regular instructor Mamie Guidera at the helm and Stephanie Nekorski on standby as an alternate instructor. We currently have over two dozen athletes and volunteers registered for the weekly Wednesday afternoon session, and while not all attend every time, we have had strong showings each week. Mamie and Stephanie do a great job of explaining and demonstrating each pose, including how to adapt based on individual ability.
PCAS staffer Judy Morrison echoed the sentiments of many: “I always feel so refreshed and loose after I do yoga!” And athlete Maddie Jones said, “Having attempted to take typical yoga classes before, it is refreshing to be in a class that includes people of all abilities, where everyone is able to participate successfully. After class, I felt stretched and ready for indoor rowing!”
Our indoor rowing program normally ends in March, but this year we kept it going.
We moved from in-person rowing at St. Joe’s boathouse to Zoom. Ergometers were distributed to interested athletes and the Monday-Wednesday schedule continued. Sessions are led by our coaches Liz Euiler and Kristin Goodsell, who plan and lead the exercises for each workout, while giving feedback to the athletes based on what they can see on Zoom from their computer screen.
Sometimes it can be a little tricky to position the computers or mobile device for full view but, as with all our virtual programs, there is ample back and forth communication between instructor and participant to ensure that athletes are working on their form and advancing their practice.
During a time when it is more difficult to get moving, and yet all the more important to do so, PCAS’ virtual programming provides many options for our athletes and volunteers to stay in shape and enjoy the PCAS community. PCAS athlete Brett Leatherwood enjoys “the fact that he is rowing and that being part of the group is helpful to stay connected.” It’s fun to log on and see familiar faces or make new acquaintances. In the words of athlete Bernadette Giddens, “Great workout!”
For more information on our virtual programs, please email Judy Morrison.
(Contributor: Meg Jones)
Upcoming Events
PLEASE NOTE:
Pending further notice, all in-person programs are paused.
TEXT: Join PCAS Update
TO: 888-535-2276
To keep updated with important PCAS schedule changes.
Youth Track and Field
Virtual - Sundays at 3:00 PM
Registration required: contact Judy Morrison
Indoor Rowing
Virtual - Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
Registration and access to an erg required: contact Judy Morrison
Yoga
Virtual - Wednesdays at 3:00 PM
Registration required: contact Judy Morrison
Martial Arts
Virtual - Seated or standing
Thursdays at 5:00 PM
Registration required: contact Judy Morrison
Group Fitness – Standing and Walking Exercises
Virtual - This program requires participants to be able to stand without assistance and walk
Tuesdays at 5:00 PM
Registration required: contact Judy Morrison
Group Fitness – Chair Exercises
Virtual - Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Registration required: contact Judy Morrison
