Popular volleyball program evolves along with other youth offerings at EmBe

This paid piece is sponsored by EmBe.

What does a college freshman have in common with her third grade sister?

Or her sixth grade or 16-year-old one, for that matter?

For the Bennett sisters, it’s the volleyball court. More specifically, the volleyball courts at EmBe, where each of the four sisters has participated in the sport since elementary school.

Their parents, Will and Tennille, got there even before they did, coaching volleyball a year before their oldest, Rachel, was in third grade and could participate.

“My mom played in high school, and my dad picked it up in college, and I’ve always loved being athletic, so I said I’d give it a try,” said Rachel, now a freshman at Brigham Young University.

“It was pretty much the foundation for my volleyball career. I went on to play in middle school and high school, and for my last couple seasons at EmBe, my parents actually coached my team, and that brought us a lot closer.”

Volleyball at EmBe is something special. The participants and coaches feel it, as do the parents.

“There are certain sports where people feel like they have to be the best or elite to do it, and volleyball is a sport with so many levels,” Will Bennett said. “It’s a good way to get some physical activity and meet new people, even as adults, and for us it’s an activity we can do as a family.”

As volleyball has evolved in Sioux Falls, EmBe’s program has found a niche in accommodating all players, he said.

“Sometimes, girls who come to play here are scared to try something new and maybe not the most natural athletic talents to start,” Bennett said.

“Every year, we meet girls who had never played before. Last year, half our team had never played before. So they’re putting themselves out there, trying something new, gaining confidence, and it’s really cool to see them grow throughout the season.”

Now a high school junior, 16-year-old Sarah Bennett has moved from player to referee at EmBe.

“I really like the community and all the people,” she said. “It’s not a competitive program. It’s for girls that want to join a team and learn and have fun and make friends.”

That has been the experience for her younger sister Bailey, a sixth grader.

“I like meeting new people and making new friends,” she said.

And the youngest, Payson, has a full family cheering section and just played her first match at EmBe.

“It was really cool,” the third grader said. “It made me feel really good I won my first game.”

EmBe has 24 volleyball teams representing about 255 kids. The program is open to girls and boys in grades three through six.

“What makes this program unique is that we approach it as character-building,” said Allison Sinning, director of youth programming. “We want to create a space where kids can play regardless of if they’re going to play at any other level, but where they can come learn skills and make friends and build confidence and work as a team.”

This year, EmBe began partnering with the University of Sioux Falls volleyball team to connect its coaches and players with the girls and their volunteer coaches.

“Sometimes, parents don’t know all the coaching nuances, so every other week we’re running clinic weeks where we come in and just help coach the girls and show their coaches some drills and teach skills to the girls as well as work with the coaches,” said Maura Chadwick, assistant USF volleyball coach.

“The USF girls are really enjoying it. It’s been awesome to get our girls involved in the community and specifically in youth volleyball. One of our players loved every second, and there were little girls from the school where she grew up, so they got to connect and see how someone from their school now plays collegiately.”

From EmBe’s perspective, “it’s a great opportunity for the college players to hone leadership skills and have our kids see young adults as mentors,” Sinning said.

The first clinics “went really well,” Will Bennett agreed. “Sometimes college coaches have trouble identifying with younger kids, but they communicated on the same level and were well versed in what was being taught. There wasn’t a lot of pressure. It was a teaching moment, and the girls had fun.”

The end-of-season tournament is March 25.

To learn more about volleyball at EmBe, click here.

Growing youth programs

Volleyball is one of several youth programs offered by EmBe.

Others include Girls on the Run, which kicks off its next season in early March, and First LEGO League, which hosts a state championship in March for the first time in person since the pandemic.

This summer brings a full offering of camps for many ages and interests. Here’s a preview of what is being offered.

Robotics camps

This summer’s popular robotics camps will be refreshed with the new brands of Robotic Imagination Camp, Robotic Impact Camp and Robotic Innovation Camp.

“Our goal is to engage around 600 kids in these camps, and they’re specially designed based on age with advancing challenges,” Sinning said. “We want them to come to these amazing camps and have so much fun that they then choose to participate in First LEGO League during the year, which has so many benefits for participants.”

The First LEGO League Championship is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 4 at Augustana University’s Elmen Center.

Leadership camps

Help girls build their leadership skills with two new and refreshed summer camps.

Camp Girl VIP — Voice Impact Purpose — is open to girls 10 to 14 and is a two-day experience where participants will meet and engage with women in leadership roles and those who have chosen nontraditional career paths.

“It will include leadership activities, and the experiences with women in the community will reflect the participants’ interests,” Sinning said.

And a revamped Rise2Raise Changemaker Bootcamp will inspire girls to use their voice to make change in the community. It’s open to those entering sixth through eighth grades. Participants will explore social issues, meet community change-makers and learn how to identify, research and plan a passion project.

“This is a preparation camp that can lead right into our Changemaker Academy program this fall,” Sinning said. “You don’t have to go to camp to be part of the academy, but it’s a great way to look at how kids can make change in their community.” 

Art camps

The relatively new EmBe art camps are led by an EmBe school-age care team member who also is an artist.

“She’s been teaching for years in her free time and also has a passion for kids,” Sinning said. “We have art camps in February and March as well as during the summer.”

Open for third through fifth graders, the summer camps include one on painting and drawing and another on beading.

Additional camps

Other EmBe camps focus on lifeguarding, babysitting and preparing for the popular Girls on the Run program with a one-day camp that also includes elements of the Robotics Innovation program.

Early registration for all camps ends April 2, and then rates will go up. There are scholarships available for camps and all EmBe youth programming.

Sinning encourages families to explore their camp options and start making plans.

The hope is that a positive camp experience leads to broader participation, she said.

“Our camps are really fun and engaging, but to make a true impact, kids need to be in more consistent programming,” she said. “This is the perfect way to explore their interests and plan for the years ahead.”

To learn more about all upcoming camps, click here.