Richard Bland Athletics Enjoys Time With Jacob's Ladder Summer Program
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. – Throughout the month of July, the Richard Bland College athletics department has enjoyed the privilege of spending time with members, or Climbers as they are called, of Jacob's Ladder. Jacob's Ladder is a proactive summer enrichment program for intellectually gifted children who face obstacles to success. While the climbers participate in a diverse offering of academic and cultural programs throughout the four-week program at Richard Bland, Statesmen coaches and student-athletes from the men's basketball team have led them in athletic and recreational activities for an hour each day.
"It's been an honor and a privilege for my staff and our student-athletes to be able to work with an organization like Jacob's Ladder," said Director of Athletics Chuck Moore. "Not only has it been a benefit for those climbers in that organization, but I think it's benefitted our staff and student-athletes just as much.
"We hope we have impacted their lives as much as they have impacted our lives. To be able to help others the way this organization believes in helping the community, we would love to continue working with Jacob's Ladder in the future."
The is the first year that the program has taken place at Richard Bland. The Statesmen have led the climbers in such games as basketball, beach volleyball, dodgeball, kickball, relay races, soccer and ultimate Frisbee. There are approximately 60 participants, and they've been divided into five teams. The daily competitions were operated like the Olympics, with team medals awarded at the end of the month-long 'JL Olympic Games.'
"It's just amazing, not only to get to know these kids, but to watch them grow and change throughout the program from day one to now," said Tatyana Turner, a Jacob's Ladder Resident Assistant and senior at Old Dominion University, who was a Climber in 2005. "Every kid deserves an opportunity and Jacob's Ladder is here to help those who may not normally get those opportunities. They've gained a lot of relationships and friendships."
The Summer Enrichment Program
The first rung of the Ladder begins with four weeks each summer, until they begin the 9th grade. An academic staff of teaching professionals offer each Climber 18 hours of academic instruction each week. Resident Assistants, many of whom are themselves graduates of Jacob's Ladder, organize a wide array of recreational and religious activities. They also supervise dorm life and help the Climbers develop life skills such as punctuality and the meaning of personal responsibility.
"We're just so pleased to be on a college campus for the first time ever," explained Joanna Ruffa, Summer Camp Director for Jacob's Ladder. "We've enjoyed the feel of the campus, we've loved the facilities, the gym has been a special place for us in our recreation program and I think our Jacob's Ladder family has felt like the basketball team and coaches have become a part of our family.
"Our climbers have grown to respect and look up to the basketball players … not just because of their height. We have a phrase at Jacob's Ladder, two words: Champions Adjust, and we feel like the team has just really stepped up and become flexible, and reinforced our goals and mission for our summer camp."
According to the enrichment program's website, Jacob's Ladder was created in 1991 by W. Aubrey Hall with a mission to aid and encourage at-risk, intellectually gifted middle school children to reach their full potential and become leaders equipped to help others in similar economic and social situations. Enrichment is provided to foster their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development through the summer camps. Mr. Hall, of Middlesex County, remains involved while currently serving as Executive Director of Jacob's Ladder. For more information, visit www.jladder.org.