An Update from the Hurricanes

 

I'm not too good at finding the right words about the events yesterday, but I think we are all still in a state of shock and trying to figure out how to move forward.  Yesterday was a day none of us will forget.

 

The board and I have been in contact with many families, EPRD, and several other groups associated with the Hurricanes to provide the right resources for our kids.  Here is our plan for the next couple of days:

 

Wulf Rec Center is still closed today, so there will be NO PRACTICE tonight for all groups.

 

For tomorrow,  Friday September 12, here is what we have set in motion:

 

We are going to offer a team hike up Bergen Peak for any middle-school or high school Hurricane that would like to join.  Some people need the physical exertion aspect of processing, so we want to offer something.  Right now, we are unsure of the status of Wulf Rec Center for tomorrow.  Whether they open or not, we are going to coordinate this hike up Bergen Peak instead of running a normal Senior Group AM practice.  Hopefully this setting will provide the team camaraderie these kids need right now instead of having faces in the water in their own heads for two hours.  The hike will start at 7:30am and will start at the Lewis Ridge Trailhead right off of Evergreen Parkway.  All middle school and high school swimmers, and any parents of these swimmers are welcome to attend.  The hike will likely take between 3-4 hours depending on how much summit time folks would like.  Storms might be rolling in as we edge closer to the noon hour, so we're going to start early enough to beat any storms.  Parents can drop kids off if they wish, but please plan on picking them back up at the same location around 11:00 (best guess).

 

Later that evening, we have reserved the side room at Beau Jo's in downtown Evergreen to have a Senior Group dinner for anyone that would like to join.  The team is going to pay for all of the pizza.  Here, we can engage in a little more of a group conversation and reinforce the support and resource options the kids have right now.   The dinner room is reserved from 5:00pm - 6:30pm.  Parents of Senior Group are welcome as well, but to adhere to the given space we have rented out, please limit it to Senior swimmers and Parents.

 

With the hosting of this team dinner, we will not be able to make Friday evening practices happen for Cats 2 and 3 (IF Wulf is even open at that point).  So  NO PRACTICES Friday evening.

 

Assuming Wulf is back open for Saturday, we will hold regular practices for Cats 2, 3, and Senior on Saturday morning for anyone who wants to participate.  No expectations for anyone, we just want to provide it for those who want it.

 

Lastly, for all families concerned, we'd like to make everyone aware that tonight there is a gathering at Buchanan Fields that starts at 6pm and all are welcome there.  The Chamber of Commerce is putting this on and there are going to be tons of local food donations for all attendees.  We want everyone to view this as a great community option that we encourage any and all to participate in.  And then tomorrow's hike and dinner will be our own Hurricanes support plan.

 

The parent meeting that got cancelled will be rescheduled and announced by Monday.

 

We've had our swimmers in our hearts for the past 24 hours straight and will continue to do so as we strive to heal together.  We promise to do everything we can to help any Hurricane with this down the road as well.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to me.