As we anticipate the 30th anniversary of the North Carolina Rope Skipping Workshop hosted by the Bouncing Bulldogs, it has been wonderful to reflect on how far this workshop has come, how much it has accomplished, and how many people it has touched. For our very first workshop, we invited Richard Cendali’s Skip-Its from Boulder, Colorado and Lee Steinberger's Thump Jumpers from Richmond, Indiana to lead. During this time period, the Bouncing Bulldogs team was comprised solely of elementary schoolers, and we had no clue how to lead or host a workshop. During the planning process, I shared with Mr. Cendali that 3-400 jumpers would be attending, which he did not believe. He sent only 15 jumpers to serve as staff members, but on the morning of the workshop, 600 jumpers showed up to participate! Mr. C. responded so gracefully to the situation with his signature phrase, “No problem,” and we were able to have a successful workshop given the limited space and small team of staff members. This memory has stayed with me because regardless of the number of teachers you have, there is always a way to make it work.
In the early years of the workshop, it was all about fun and fitness. Our goal was to bring the local community together to have fun with one another and learn new skills. Eventually, after more experiences at international competitions, workshops, and other events, the Bulldogs have been fortunate enough to build relationships with jumpers and teams from all over the United States and world. This annual workshop is now a four-day-long festival which has allowed us to build bridges with teams in almost every corner of the world.
The aspects of the workshop I value most have nothing to do with the jump rope skills participants learn or who the most talented jumpers are. I most deeply value the connections made across teams, cultures, personalities, and ages. As jumpers embrace after the Sunday morning practice to say their goodbyes, genuine smiles lighting up their faces, I understand and appreciate those moments for how people come to know one another and care for one another through a common love for jump rope. The North Carolina Rope Skipping Workshop has consistently provided 30 years of service to the jump rope community around the world, and we are honored to host this event every year.
In the early years of the workshop, it was all about fun and fitness. Our goal was to bring the local community together to have fun with one another and learn new skills. Eventually, after more experiences at international competitions, workshops, and other events, the Bulldogs have been fortunate enough to build relationships with jumpers and teams from all over the United States and world. This annual workshop is now a four-day-long festival which has allowed us to build bridges with teams in almost every corner of the world.
The aspects of the workshop I value most have nothing to do with the jump rope skills participants learn or who the most talented jumpers are. I most deeply value the connections made across teams, cultures, personalities, and ages. As jumpers embrace after the Sunday morning practice to say their goodbyes, genuine smiles lighting up their faces, I understand and appreciate those moments for how people come to know one another and care for one another through a common love for jump rope. The North Carolina Rope Skipping Workshop has consistently provided 30 years of service to the jump rope community around the world, and we are honored to host this event every year.
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