Sportsmanship

 
 

The Sportsmanship program is a way for staff to let the participants know what behaviors are acceptable, unacceptable and desired. At the heart of the program is a board with all the names of the youth participants. The board is large enough to be viewed throughout the gym.

If a youth does something in gym that we view as a desirable behavior (ex. an older youth giving a ball to a younger youth, encouraging a teammate who is struggling, etc.) then that youth is awarded a green card and the card is placed on the board next to their name.

Youth with green cards are often given special priveleges during gym time.

If a youth exhibits bad sportsmanship (making fun of someone, quitting a game because it isn't going the way they want, etc..) they are penalized with a yellow card. The yellow card is placed on the board next to their name.

If a youth is penalized with three yellow cards, they are considered in debt to the Safe Haven. They must work off their debt by helping to clean the Safe Haven instead of going to gym for one day.

Shown in the picture above is a team-bulding game brought to us by a UNH intern. Youth must work together as team to lower their ball and rest it on top of a small cone.

Monday - Thursday
4:30 - 5:30 pm

Our gym program is open to all participants of the Somersworth Youth Safe Haven/ Police MiniStation.

Participants must attend the Homework Lab and earn their Safe Haven dollars on the day they wish to participate in gym.

Gym time activities range from organized games and activities to free play. Examples of favorite games played in the gym:

  • Troll Island
  • Kickball
  • Dodgeball
  • Floor Hockey
  • Various Jump Rope games
  • Every variation of Tag
  • Simon Says

Gym Council

Every Monday, 4 youth participants of the SYSH get together and decide what games/ activities will be played that week.

The Council is made up of two elementary students and two middle/ high school students and all games must be agreed on unanimously. The Council members are different every week so everyone gets a say in what is played in the gym.

The Council was started to give the youth the opportunity to make decisions and take ownership in the program.