PCAS Unveils Plan for In-Person Programs
Our virtual sports programs continue to be very popular, but all of us are looking forward to returning to our in-person programs.
In our previous post, we announced the formation of the PCAS COVID-19 Advisory Council. Since then an eleven member Council was formed, comprised of board members, staff, volunteers, athletes and parents of athletes. The Council was tasked to assist PCAS in the development and ongoing refinement of our COVID-19 plan for re-opening. The key objective of the re-opening plan is to create a safe environment for our athletes, caregivers, and volunteers.
PCAS Program Manager Judy Morrison said, “The PCAS COVID-19 Advisory Council has been working hard to get programs back up and running, while keeping everyone safe and healthy.”
According to Judy, the first phase of re-opening, “will allow us to maintain a safe environment. We will begin with limited in-person programs and expand as we are able to do so. We will continue to monitor the situation regularly,” she noted.
Judy described a few of the new procedures; for example, participants will be required to schedule activities in advance, wear masks, physical distance, and undergo touch-less health screenings. In addition, hand sanitizer will be available for frequent hand cleaning. Equipment will be cleaned, according to CDC guidelines, before and after every use.
We received a great response to our re-opening survey. Many who responded validated our plans and several new ideas were suggested. Thank you to everyone who participated for their input.
Plan for a return to live programming will be announced soon.
In the meantime, if you haven’t done so, plan to join one of the numerous virtual programs, with more in the works. (See schedule below.) The success of our virtual programs made us realize that they should continue.
Additionally, PCAS is planning virtual social events, such as game night, with details to come soon. We continue to research options, and we welcome your suggestions.
(Contributor: Irene McKnight)
Introducing the Virtual 5.0 Challenge
We all know that PCAS staff, volunteers and athletes are good at adapting. And now we are adapting in all sorts of new ways that we hadn’t conceived of even five months ago.
After weeks of planning, we have figured out how to keep the Cinco de Mayo Bike Ride and Walk alive, online.
Since we can’t gather in large groups and don’t know when we will be able to do so safely, we have converted our usual one-day in-person event to a four week long virtual challenge event, expanding not only the timeframe for participating but also the activities you can participate in to compete and raise money for our future programming. For example, if cycling isn’t your thing, but you love to do sit-ups – and let’s face it, who doesn’t love to do sit-ups – you can make this your personal Virtual 5.0 Challenge. You are limited only by your imagination – be as creative as you want!
Here’s how it will work: the challenge will launch at the beginning of September and run for 30 days. You will choose your activity and create a campaign on the PCAS platform for your supporters to make pledges. Then you can link this site to your social media such as Instagram or Facebook to generate interest.
Our goal is to raise $30,000 from the Virtual 5.0 Challenge and we are already two thirds of the way there, due to the generosity of our sponsors.
We invite you to take the next step by:
Choosing your personal Virtual 5.0 Challenge activity
Posting your activity and goal on your personal fundraising page
Spreading the word via social media using #FivePointZeroChallenge
Doing your challenge and sharing your results!
Even though we can’t celebrate in person, we are excited to open up the Virtual 5.0 Challenge to everyone, regardless of interest or ability to cycle or walk.
Make it yours, make it challenging, and of course, make it fun! And thanks for supporting PCAS.
(Contributor: Meg Jones)
It’s VIRTUALLY time for the BAYADA Regatta
Return dock volunteers at the 2019 BAYADA Regatta
Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Philadelphia has cancelled the 2020 Regatta season. In fact, as of this writing, the City hasn’t even given out any permits for rowing. Nonetheless, we plan to proceed with a virtual competition.
We will follow the same classification format and offer the option of on-water time trials for programs that have clearance to row or ergometer time trials for those programs that are grounded. On the up side, this will allow us to expand the Regatta’s reach to smaller recreational programs that haven’t had the wherewithal to travel to Philadelphia in the past, including international outreach.
We are still working with the BAYADA organization and our other partners to develop the full framework for the event and will share information with everyone as soon as it is available.
If you are interested in participating in our virtual indoor rowing program, please contact Judy Morrison.
(Contributor: Meg Jones)
Schuylkill River Dredging Update
The dredging has begun!
The docks along Boathouse Row have been removed and a pipeline now runs from the Row to the east side of Fairmount Dam. A unique system had to be created to ensure that the pipe running over the dam is not in physical contact with the dam, in compliance with City and Pennsylvania Department of Fish and Wildlife requirements. On June 5th, the “Mudcat” began transporting slurry from Boathouse Row over the dam to barges below the I-676 bridge, which are then floated downriver to Ft. Mifflin.
Our channel was originally scheduled to be dredged in mid- to-late May as Phase 1 of the project. However, COVID-19 restrictions delayed the start, which would have impacted fish migration and turtle nesting patterns. They decided to move dredging of the channel to Phase 2, now scheduled to begin in September and lasting for about one month. Upon completion of our channel, the Mudcat will move to the racecourse for Phase 3, which will run through the end of the year.
The project started on a good note and all parties involved were optimistic about its progress, though the Army Corp of Engineers who oversee the project reminded the Schuylkill Navy on several occasions that “everything goes well, until it doesn’t.” When Hurricane Isaias hit the area, things stopped going well for a bit. As a result of the storm, the collection barge became unmoored and collided with the abutment under the Vine Street Expressway. Fortunately, there was no significant damage to either the road or the barge and dredging is again underway. Although the contract was extended to allow for weather and COVID-related delays, our lagoon is currently still on schedule to be completed before October 15th to avoid disrupting turtle hibernation.
(Contributor: Andrea Pampaloni)
PCAS PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Macyn Kronmuller
This summer, we highlight seven-year-old Macyn Kronmuller, a rising athlete star, and the youngest member of the PCAS Youth Track & Field team. Macyn, her mother, Aprille, and sister, Ryleigh, sat for this interview with us via Zoom from their home in Chester County, PA.
Macyn receives some encouragement from her sister Ryleigh, left, as she races
Macyn learned about the PCAS Track and Field team in 2019 while swimming at West Chester University’s Rammies swim program for kids with disabilities. Macyn said, “many of the kids in the Rammies swim program also do track and field, and they told me all about it. I was youngest of all of them, but they allowed me to give it a try.”
Soon after joining the T&F team, it didn’t take long for Macyn to train and compete in the field events: javelin, long jump, shot put, and discus. And in track, Macyn runs in the 25M, 50M, and relay events. Building upon her years in gymnastics and soccer, she quickly mastered track and field. When asked about her favorite event, Macyn said with a smile, “I like the javelin -- because I am good at it”.
Macyn competed in the New Jersey regional T&F event in her first year, but she wasn’t eligible for the national meet, due to her age. Macyn’s mother, Aprille noted that the regional event was something they had never experienced before, “it was an eye opener, and a huge deal to see so many other kids with disabilities.” Aprille says she is so grateful for adaptive youth sport programs like PCAS Track and Field, reminding us how important these programs are for both the kids and their parents in having fun and connecting with others with similar needs. Macyn will tell you that one of her favorite things about being part of a sports team is making new friends.
“First I warm-up to make sure my strength is up enough to hold the shot and throw the javelin,” Macyn said.
Macyn (middle), with her teammates and friends: Sage Foraker (left) and Lexi West (right))
For the 2020 season, the cancellation of in person programs hasn’t dampened Macyn’s enthusiasm for the sport or stopped her from training. Whenever possible, Macyn joins her teammates and Coach Darla Clayton for a virtual track and field workout. And more recently, the team has added swim practice on Fridays. The rest of the time, Macyn practices in her yard with workout plans provided to the team by Darla.
“First I warm-up to make sure my strength is up enough to hold the shot and throw the javelin,” Macyn said. This commitment to training prepared Macyn and her teammates to participate in the 2020 Virtual Endeavor Games. Her mother, Aprille noted “Darla is an amazing coach, and Macyn would not be where she is without her.”
When asked about dreams for the future, Macyn responded, “going to the nationals.” It is clear that, with all of Macyn’s enthusiasm and can-do spirit, there will be no stopping her in the future!
(Contributor: Lynn McGillin)
Upcoming Events
PLEASE NOTE:
Pending further notice, all in-person programs are paused.
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