Youth Community Engagement

In the summer of 2024, I designed and led the KOOLKIDZ Pop‑Up Sports Camp — a multi‑county youth development experience hosted through Closed Spaces Inc. This camp was one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever created, because it allowed me to bring structure, joy, and emotional safety directly to children across Shelby, DeSoto, Quitman, and Panola counties.

As a full‑time mother of two boys, I understand how important it is for children to have spaces where they can grow, explore, and feel supported. That understanding shaped every part of this camp. I built the curriculum, coordinated volunteers, managed parent communication, and facilitated each session with intention and care.

The camp ran every Friday and Saturday throughout July 2024, offering youth a full developmental experience through three phases:

Phase 1 – Physical Development
I introduced team‑based sports demonstrations, drills, and friendly competitions to help kids build motor skills, coordination, confidence, and teamwork. Each session began with stretching, team formation, chants, and hands‑on practice before moving into structured games.

Phase 2 – Cognitive Development
This phase focused on individual growth. Kids practiced problem‑solving, creativity, and critical thinking through freestyling, skill application, and one‑on‑one challenges with coaches. I wanted each child to feel proud of their personal progress, not just their team performance.

Phase 3 – Social & Emotional Development
We closed each session with reflection, feedback, and affirmations. This was my favorite part — hearing kids talk about what they learned, what they enjoyed, and how they saw themselves growing. These conversations helped them build emotional intelligence, communication skills, and healthy social awareness.

Across all counties, participants received jerseys, backpacks, water sources, and notepads to support their experience. Parents received clear communication, consent forms, lunch forms, and check‑in/check‑out systems to ensure safety and structure.

I also recruited and trained volunteers — coaches, teachers, parents, healthcare providers, and community members — giving them clear expectations, responsibilities, and orientation materials. This helped create a unified, supportive environment for every child.

This camp wasn’t just a summer program.
It was a community movement — one that brought families together, gave kids a safe place to grow, and strengthened the mission of Closed Spaces Inc.:
“Empowering young minds through sports, teamwork, and self‑expression.”

The KOOLKIDZ Pop‑Up Sports Camp continues to shape how I design youth programs today, and it remains one of the proudest accomplishments in my journey as a mother, leader, and advocate for emotional wellness.