"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CNEC Hosts Father Involvement Olympics

***"Joe Don Fields and daughter Anna take a break during the recent Cherokee Nation Early Head Start Male and Fatherhood Olympics."***

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit (ECU) recently hosted the first Male and Fatherhood Involvement Olympics. The program was offered as way to promote interaction between children and the male figures in their lives.

The children and their male guardians took part in various events and were awarded medals during the closing ceremony of the activity. Every child that participated in the event received a medal.

According to Family and Community Partnership Specialist Karen Ryder, the mock Olympics was developed to create an initiative to enhance the relationship between children and the primary male figures in their lives.

“This is our first one. We’ve just never had the opportunity to do this before,” said Ryder. “We are very proud of our dads. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it. The parents are the heartbeat of programs such as this.”

The parents involved helped to facilitate specific activities and were available to cheer for the kids during the events. Smiles and adoration spurred all of the children on to victory.

Trevor Ridge attended the event with his son, Lucius, and greatly enjoyed his time at the event.

“It was awesome,” said Ridge. “For me to take part in an activity like this with my son is something else. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

For more information about the ECU and upcoming events, contact Lynn Davis, phone: 918-822-2622.