Positive Coaching Alliance-Tampa Bay – This summer PCA-Tampa Bay continued its partnership with Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation despite obstacles from COVID-19. The County devised a responsible and effective plan which paved the way for an enjoyable summer and impactful partnership with the PCA Character Development Program for all participants. 

Parks and Recreation coaches and staff certified in PCA’s Double-Goal Coach^®  curriculum led children in daily lessons, small group activities, and discussions that focused on PCA’s key principles. This summer, new curriculum focused on Mastery, Growth Mindset, and Reset & Refocus was added to the program and it was reinforced with creative materials for each of the camp locations. Children learned how to apply these principles at camp, home, school, and in the community. Rick Valdez, Director of Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation said, “Our partnership provides large benefits to all the children participating in the Program.”

To further the needs of Hillsborough County, PCA also teamed up with the County’s Communications Department to create and provide lessons available on their Virtual Recreation page.  With fewer children being able to attend camp this summer, the County wanted to provide access so everyone could still “get creative, get adaptive, get active, and get connected” from home. 

In a brand-new format, PCA programming was created and delivered on a virtual platform.  The chapter’s Jeff Whalen, who was hired in January as a Graphic Design and Social Media Specialist, produced five videos for Hillsborough County. PCA Trainers Carmyn Samuel and Jessica Perez plus County staff were involved and virtually spoke to kids in their homes to teach them character-based lessons such as the importance of bouncing back from mistakes. We encourage you to watch the virtual lesson here and try the worksheet to further your understanding.

Worksheets were included for each of the videos to allow children to take the lesson to another level and apply it to their own lives.

“In a difficult time, we were able to further develop our partnership and program in Hillsborough County from both a curriculum and delivery standpoint.” said Mason Cathey Brady, PCA-Tampa Bay Executive Director. “Our mission is to positively impact all children in the Tampa community. Hillsborough County provided that opportunity this summer and we are thankful they provided us the space to partner with them in-person and virtually.”

The summer Character Development program was made possible through the generous support of the Spurlino Foundation, Tampa Bay Rays, BayCare, Truist Foundation, and Hillsborough County.

For more information, contact PCA-Tampa Bay:
Mason Cathey Brady
E: mason_cathey@positivecoach.org