CEA Family,
We have a big/little sister/brother program at CEA that is a favorite amongst our athletes. In the past this has been optional and we have paired a big sister/brother with a little sister/brother from a different team. This program was developed to bring the gym together as a family, help our athletes feel supported, encouraged and loved. Due to covid we have to do things a little differently this year. In an effort to keep athletes grouped together with their team and little contact outside of teams we are going to assign bigs and littles within the same team. Everyone will have a big or a little this year and your athlete will get out of this experience what they put into it. This experience is about the relationship between the Big and Little. The bigs cheer on the littles at practices and comps and vice versa. The bigs and littles are a source of support for each other and the goal is for the littles to have someone to look up to and the bigs to feel the love from a younger athlete looking up to them. You are welcome to give your big/little a small gift on special occasions like holidays, birthdays and comps. The gifts should be minimal like $5/10 or homemade. You will find a list at the end of this email with ideas for inexpensive or no cost gifts. Your team mom will inform you of the name of your big or little. You are welcome to bring a small gift for your big/little to your next Sunday (11/1) practice. Gifts are not required, but your athlete could pick one of the ideas below that don’t cost money to make. We aren’t going to have a Big/Little reveal like we have had in the past because that involved lots of hugs. If your athlete is a crossover, they will have a big or little on both teams.
Ideas for inexpensive gifts, low or no cost activities and ways to show some sister/brother love:
* homemade cards
* a flower
* a balloon
* a homemade bracelet
* Halloween candy
* Valentine’s Day card made by the athlete
* Holiday card made by the athlete
* Items from the $ store or Five Below
* Spend time together at a comp
* Bigs do the littles hair or make up for a comp
* Posts on facebook, instagram and twitter of your little or big getting a new skill
* Posts on social media of pics together with little and big
* Birthday shout outs on social media
* Cheer your big/little on at every comp
* Decorate matching water bottles
* Make matching bracelets or anklets
* Decorate or have made big and little t-shirts
* Make cupcakes or cookies for your big/little
* Do a stunt with your big/little and post to social media
* Do a tumble pass with your big/little and post it on social media
* Check Pinterest for ideas - its my favorite place to get crafty ideas!
If you have questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Amy Martin
