Cambridge Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program
Description:
This program is designed to give participants an overview of all the different ways that they can use a passion and interest in parkour to pursue professional projects and careers. The program focuses on three key elements: Coaching, Design, Performance, and participants will also learn a number of important skills in the process including: Google productivity products (Sheets, Docs, Slides, Drive, Photos, etc), presentation skills, photography, video editing, and more! In addition to a selection of guest coaches and lecturers, participants will work together in small groups to complete projects, create deliverables to present to their peers, and tackle various physical and mental challenges. Each day will include with a movement session that builds on the core movements, techniques, and exercises of parkour training. All participants will be paid $11/hr for participation in the program by the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program.
Main focal points:
Movement - Over the course of the summer participants will be come familiar with, and learn to master, the basic techniques of parkour.
Coaching - We'll be learning how to safely and responsibly share our discipline with others- no matter the age or ability!
Design - Parks, equipment... furniture? What else can we use for parkour? We'll be breaking down (and building up) our everyday surroundings to figure out how to create an environment that encourages healthy and active movement!
Performance - How do we want our discipline to be seen by others? We'll be learning about the various ways that parkour is shared, and will create our own pieces to share!
Challenge - Be prepared for all sorts of challenges- scavenger hunts, time trials, movement puzzles, and more! Be ready for the unexpected!
Daily Schedule & Logistics:
The 2024 program runs Mon - Fri for 6 weeks.
Most days will run from 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Main meeting spot: Joan Lorentz Park (outside CRLS). Participants will also meet in various parks and public spaces throughout the City of Cambridge and should be capable of taking public transportation on their own.
Sample Day
1:00 - 2:00 Parkour Training
2:00 - 3:00 Project Background & Framing
3:00 - 3:30 Movement Break
3:30 - 5:00 Project Group work & collaboration
Pre-requirements:
Cambridge resident
Age 14 - the summer after graduating high school
All skill levels (no prior experience required), all genders, all backgrounds, all body types
ALL training sessions will be held outside regardless of the weather, participants must be prepared. Rain, sleet, sun- whatever.
Participants should be prepared for 60-90 min of movement each day. This is NOT a desk job, you will sweat. Guaranteed.
Participants should be prepared to: work with a group to accomplish physical & mental challenges, face and overcome fears, learn a lot about themselves and their environment, have the way that they look at their environment changed, respect and be respected by fellow participants and coaches, make some money by doing something rewarding, be more comfortable taking the "road less traveled", have fun!
Must have completed an application by the due date listed below.
Application:
All applications are due to CRLS or the Office of Workforce Development office.
Applications will be evaluated based on preference. Motivated applicants are urged to send a letter of intent (150 words or less) to blake@parkourgenerations.com about why they want to participate in the program.