April 3, 2003

Eighty-two Columbia Girl Scouts listened intently as three Tiger Volleyball student-athletes talked to them about self-confidence and teamwork. Mary Lauren Smith, Jenny Duitsman, and Shen Danru talked with the Girl Scouts at the Scouts' first-ever overnight lock-in, located at Columbia's new recreational center, The Arc.

The Scouts spent the entire night at The Arc and had the opportunity to hear from the lady Tigers during their first evening session. Jenny Duitsman shared with the Scouts that "every person on a team has something to give." Mary Lauren talked about the importance of working as a team and working together.

Shen Danru added that it is important to always support each other when working together. Danru then gave the Scouts a hands-on ex-ample of what teamwork is all about by having the Scouts perform a partner teamwork activity.

After hearing the Tigers talk about teamwork, the Scouts defined teamwork in their own words as they shared their definitions of teamwork, such as "communication," "niceness," "friendships," and "together-ness."

The Tigers wrapped up the session by having some Scout volunteers help them make a team "chair." The Tigers and the Scout Leaders formed a human team "chair" by forming a circle and sitting on each other's laps and holding the position for five seconds. Through communication and trust, the "chair" was not broken - a perfect example of teamwork!

After the session was finished, the Girl Scouts gave the Tigers a warm Girl Scout thank you - and even a couple boxes of Girl Scout cookies!