Stories of Impact: RicQuita and BreQuita

A Summer Camp Transformation
Twins learn healthy habits that change their bodies and minds

Prior to attending summer camp at the Agape Community Center in Northwest Atlanta, 16-year-old twins RicQuita and BreQuita regarded themselves as overweight, never having learned about good nutrition or proper excercise.

The twins spent 8 weeks in the CrossFit Kids program acquiring new skills such as fundamental and competitive weightlifting, push-ups, pull-ups, and rope climbing. The girls also mastered high box jumps, made improvements in their running speed and endurance, and succeeded in holding themselves upright on gymnastics rings.

"BreQuita and RicQuita entered the gym at the start of the summer highly skeptical of the fitness program," explained CrossFit Kids Program Director, Karen Callen. "[The girls] were less than enthusiastic participants as the program kicked off. However, within just a few sessions, they showed an amazing transformation."

The twins' attitude improved, moving from disinterest to an excitment about gaining new skills. "They were determined in learning new movements, repeating them until they were mastered. Both were first in line when it was time to begin a workout," said Callen. "Unlike previous summers, they became communicative and connected with their coaches as well as with others attending the camp."

Agape Community Center staff said that they had never seen the twins so engaged in anything before and couldn’t believe how excited both girls were about the CrossFit Kids program. Referencing previous summer camps, staff members explained that the girls normally would have been kicked out of camp for misbehavior.
 

"I wanted to do Crossfit everyday. The coaches taught us new things that we’d never heard of. I can do 20 push-ups now and 90 squats without stopping," said BreQuita. "I lost weight and gained muscle.” Both girls say they were "chubby" before the summer began, and now they are thrilled to be fit. In addition to excercise, the camp also educated participants in good nutrition. The twins say now they are more conscious about everything they eat - turning to salads, fruit, yogurt, and vegetables as opposed to eating whatever they want. "I used to eat anything including hamburgers and french fries. Now I exercise every morning and evening and eat fruit and drink water," said RicQuita.

CrossFit North Atlanta partnered with the Agape Community Center to spearhead the Center’s GoGirlGo! sports and fitness summer camp. This program is offered to economically disadvantaged and underserved girls ages 8-16 in the Bolton Road community of Northwest Atlanta. CrossFit North Atlanta provided the physical activity portion of the GoGirlGo! camp and instructed the girls in the CrossFit Kids program for 45 minutes, twice a week.

CrossFit is an evidenced-based, broad, general and inclusive fitness program designed to produce optimal competency in the physical skills required for both life and sport.

The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation supports the GoGirlGo! program in Atlanta, which helps the Agape Community Center and many other nonprofits find new and better ways to move young girls from sedentary to active lifestyles.