Bridge Builder For A Day

Hello Honeybees,

This past weekend I had a chance to experience what it feels like to be a Bridge Builder. 

What is a Bridge Builder?   Well I’m glad you asked.

Bridge Builders is one of the many programs offered at Bridges.  Bridges is a nonprofit that brings together diverse youth from all backgrounds across the Greater Memphis area and transform them into confident and courageous leaders.

The Bridge Builder program allows students to attend a week-long summer conference followed by monthly events throughout the school year.  As a Bridge Builder, students are empowered to apply what they have learned to improve their neighborhoods, schools and communities.

My son has been a Bridge Builder for 5 years.  I had a vague understanding of what the summer conference was like. But the time spent at Bridges was eye opening. During his junior & senior year he spent a week away from home for each conference.  On Saturday I spent 3 hours doing only a fraction of what happens during conference. One of the best parts of the day was meeting and working with other parents.

We performed team building activities and after each activity we had a “debrief”.  The debrief was very telling. We explained what we did, what we learned and how can we take those lessons back to our community or work.  I can only imagine how teenagers express what they learned.  Our group leaders were super cool.  They just spent the summer working with young people & now they had to switch to adults. They handled it like the professionals that they are.

This is me leading our group in “I’m A Little Tea Pot”.  I can’t believe that I actually remembered the song AND the moves.

I REALLY wanted to climb the rock wall but unfortunately the rock wall was not one of our activities.  But Bridges does have open rock climbing days and they also have an outdoor wall.  So NO EXCUSES!!! 

If you ever need a place for team building Bridges is the place.  If you have a student in grades 6-12 this is a great live changing opportunity for them.                                             For more information visit http://bridgesusa.org/

Who wants to climb the rock wall with me?  Let me know?

Belinda 

Beewisdom- You must be the change you wish to see in the world-Mahatma Gandhi