Newly named G-Fit held it’s 6th workout in Paradise. We have been around 10 for each workout, give or take, with a mix of PAX, new ‘engaged’ 2.0 PAX and FNG’s. Generally, the G-Fit workouts have been kid-focused/managed exercises for 30-40 minutes, followed by pickup basketball games. Future Q’s and PAX, please read the Paradise prep info: http://f3nation.com/2017/06/08/paradise-q-prep-info/

#6 followed the same format. Thanks to Figaro and Optimus for getting things kicked off as YHC was talking with members from the Bethlehem Baptist Church who were having a community day that started that morning. Later in the workout, we were joined by Minister Phil who was named “Comeback”. YHC had also made a pit stop at Dewey’s barbershop before G-Fit which had a full house in the morning. Take every opportunity to engage the community when the opportunity arises and tell them about F3.

Before continuing, YHC showed the PAX a picture of Cheech and explained the unfortunate circumstances of one of our brothers. I reminded the engaged 2.0’s that we are all brothers in F3…including them! We are here to support each other in whatever way is needed. They were asked to keep Cheech, his family and the girl driver in their thoughts and prayers.

The kids are still getting the swing of exercises and cadence. In a quick write-up, we stayed on the basketball court as one 2.0 had grass allergies. Various exercises and taking turns leading. A mosey around the park followed by a bear crawl (or lunges) and some people’s chair. Back to the court for some defensive position basketball slides, etc. Then played some half court.

(At this point, YHC highly recommends use of a camera and video to record all in attendance, and do not wait 4 days to write BB. I do not recall all the names of our engaged 2.0’s and FNG 2.0’s.)

3 FNG’s. Minster Phil named Comeback for overcoming obstacles in life. 2.0 Goldman because he liked the 49’ers and had some gold in his hair. And one other 2.0 I can’t remember! Video!!!

Announcements: Bball instruction to start week of 6-26 on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 10:00 am. All kids come out and volunteer instructor or support help wanted!

Prayers: For Cheech’s family and the girl driver. Figaro took us out.

FOR PAX TO HELP WITH OUR EFFORTS: We have been reaching out to the community, specifically the churches in the neighborhood, to have times for PAX to meet and talk about F3. More times to come, but we need volunteer PAX to be available the 2nd and 4th Mondays to meet a men’s group at Bethlehem Baptist Church. The contact is Minister Phil Williams, cell 704-301-2168. Feel free to attend on your own or let Bolt and Deacon know.

There is also a much bigger item in progress in Paradise called the “Paradise Community Initiative.” This initiative is community focused and is designed to bring together residents, organizations, businesses and volunteers under one “umbrella” for better organization of events and communication to the community. Stay tuned for more info within the coming weeks.

Aye! Bolt

Our Wed Run and Gun numbers have been low for a while, and yesterday was no exception with a solo R&G. Help us out at R&G’s on Wed’s 1815…but this post is about more than that.

After stopping at the Y until 1820, headed to Paradise which was my original plan. My Wed eve’s thru the summer are dedicated to being there, meeting residents of the community, and interacting with the kids. Stay tuned if R&G makes an official move to Paradise, at least thru the summer.

Brought the last of the basketballs I had left and they were given to a couple of the kids that needed a ball.  Met about 4 kids I did not know, and they HC’d to Saturdays workout!  I think the kids are really enjoying us being out there. Played a full court game which wasn’t too serious and just had some fun.

A question lingers if we are inviting the girls to our newly named “G-Fit” Saturday workout (stands for “Get Fit!”). I felt bad interacting with the girls and not being able to officially invite them. What does the PAX think?  Maybe get FiA involved?

While the Saturday workout has focused on the kids, we have not forgotten one of our goals of diversifying, and we are making contacts in the community to spread the word to reach the adult males and teenage boys. It will take some time, but our efforts will be successful. Keep the faith and continue to support our efforts.

There is a ‘bigger picture’ item on the way and will be announced soon after a little more organizing. Stay tuned!

PAX, please keep supporting our Paradise workout. Our goal is to always have 5 PAX in attendance. Feel free to bring your 2.0’s.

We also need PAX help in spreading the word. We are talking with community leaders, especially through the churches, to set up days and times to talk about F3 and our efforts. We will need your help in volunteering to fill these opportunities. Please jump at the chance to assist when it is requested soon.

Note this date: Saturday June 24. There is a “Community Day in the Park” from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm hosted by the Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church. (a little bit of an update here…) I will be having a followup phone call with one of the organizers soon. We may or may not have access to the park for a workout, but I believe we will be able to have a presence and interact during the event. Stay tuned.

Aye! Bolt

If you have any kind of balls laying around the house that are not used anymore, please send them our way. It is great to give them away to kids that need them with the F3 logo written on them.

6 veteran pax with 5 2.0s in tow posted to Steele Street Park to engage, inspire and be inspired by the youth of the Paradise community.  With shorties ranging from 6 to 16, including 7 FNGs, an extended Disclaimer was pronounced and then the fun started.

The Thang

COP — SSHs, Windmills, IWs, Merkins, Squats, Moroccan night clubs, CDDs

Two laps around basketball court

Line up at far end of court

Karaoke to other end and back

Side shuffle to other end and back

Suicides to other end of court
(rinse & repeat)

Mosey around the boundary of the park and muster around the building

People’s chair (3 cycles)

Mosey back to basketball court & circle up — flutter kick, LBC, Superman

Split up on opposite sides of court for free throws, each miss = 1 merkin then switch so that each miss = 1 squat

Time for some real hoops; split up into 4 teams for 2 half court games

After 20 minutes of ball, the pax circled up for some final cool down stretching — Windmills, Toy soldiers, Honeymooners, Downward Dog

COT

NMM

What a terrific morning!  The young men of Paradise energized the vets among the pax, bringing enthusiasm, sincerity and personality to the experience.  A whole string of FNGs of the shortie variety posted. Hopefully their experience was positive enough to bring them back out next week and in the weeks ahead.

Deacon & Bolt pushed the pax for a name for this new AO at Steel Street Park.  Leave it to an FNG in the 10-12 YO range to provide the mic drop moment of the morning.  He wanted to name it G-Fit (spelling TBD by Site Qs).  What does that mean? “Get Fit!”  The pax voted among three options in total and G-Fit won out.  Clearly this young man (FNG/Percy) has a future in marketing.

With the monthly theme of Faith, we talked about Failure and the Faith it requires to get back up and move forward.  Whether the failure is of a sinful nature or of a worldly version, I cannot let Failure define me.   I have a 50-year track record of failure that will undoubtedly continue for the rest of my days.  Holding onto my Faith that I am one of God’s creations is what will keep me from wallowing in Failure and ensuring that I can deliver on the mission God’s designed me for.

Deacon and Figaro both spoke of Father’s Day, reminding all pax of our status as sons of the Fatrher above.  Figaro put out some good words tying Faith and marriages together through his experience of helping a broken couple see their way back toward a path of possible reconciliation.

Thanks to Chicken Hawk, Figaro and Jekyll for posting to support the workout!

T-claps to Deacon and Bolt, who are doing an inspiring job moving F3 forward into new areas where they are called to lead.

Thanks for the invite!  It was an inspiring morning for me!

We have now had 3 successful workouts in Paradise on Sat’s at 0900 at Steele Street Park. Please continue to come out and support our diversity and community efforts. Thanks to our Q’s and supporting PAX!

As this AO grows, Q’s please be aware that regular workout standards may need to be modified. We are targeting both adult men, and males in the 12-18 range, and the workout will need to accommodate all attendees. However, we are also not turning anyone away under that age. Maintain a weinke that can be modified based on those in attendance.

Flyers are distributed and list the F3 main workout at 0900, followed by pickup basketball, games, etc, at 1000. Q’s are not required to stay after 1000 but are reminded that we are also trying to build community relations. It is possible that additional attendees may arrive after the main workout. With additional PAX in attendance, support to the Q should available at both times.

PAX are encouraged to attend before 0900 to engage and recruit. Sometimes a simple mosey around the neighborhood results in on-the-spot EH’s and attendance.

An AO Paradise-specific bag has been put together that has basketballs, gloves (until distributed), cones and other items that may be helpful. As of this writing, there was also a second bag that had extra basketballs to be distributed to attendees until gone. Please pass the bag(s) on to the next Q, or Bolt or Deacon, during the week.

Also, consider the following when Q’ing:

1. Paradise is your community, too. Don’t let the evil one convince you of anything contrary to that fact.
2. Adding basketball to the workouts brings more inclusion of the community by meeting people where they are. Men like to hoop in Paradise.
3. The sun is up at 9 AM. Exercise the areas under the trees for shade to prevent overheating.
4. Not all Pax have babysitting available Saturday mornings. Keep the workouts in the park so 2.0s can use the playground as their Daddies sweat it out.
5. Discuss the 3rd F theme of the month with the Pax. The young Pax really appreciate and absorb that positive message.
6. Not all Pax will have gloves and water bottles. If possible, bring them for the Pax.

Bottom line: The opportunity to engage, enrich and impact our community is now. Get involved. Steele Street Park is at 600 Steele Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715

All PAX, help us fill the Q schedule: bit.ly/F3TheFortQSchedule

5/20/17 Deacon BB: http://f3nation.com/2017/05/20/paradise-recon/

6/3/17 WhatDid BB: http://f3nation.com/2017/06/05/saturday-in-paradise/

Aye! Bolt and Deacon