Legend has it that Hugh O'Brian at age 16 was the youngest drill sergeant in the history of the Marine Corps. Whether true or not, I am sure they did quite a few "cheers" but none as fun as the "HOBY Cheers" that we do.
Of course, when someone first gets to HOBY and hears the cheering, it is easy to think "did I just arrive at a 'cheer camp'?" And why do we do all of these cheers?!
Our Ambassadors and volunteer staff are together for a little under four days, and are going strong from 7am when they wake up until lights out at 11pm. Cheers accomplish a few different things. . .
1. It gets us moving and gets the blood flowing. Sitting and listening to speakers and participating in activities is fun, but we need to jump around, scream and shout, and make sure that we stay ALIVE, AWAKE, ALERT and most importantly ENTHUSIASTIC!
2. It shows how the group can be more creative together. Many of the cheers that we do are "time honored" but when small groups make up their own cheers, it can be a fun way to get the group working together.
3. Cheering can be the "great equalizer"! Seriously, we don't have days, weeks or months for people to feel comfortable with each other. . .we need to get there quickly, break down barriers and not be afraid to look or sound foolish - otherwise we won't participate and contribute to our capabilities.
Here is one of our "small groups" outside during a break practicing their cheer. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNbtCzUEpi8&feature=youtu.be
Of course, when someone first gets to HOBY and hears the cheering, it is easy to think "did I just arrive at a 'cheer camp'?" And why do we do all of these cheers?!
Our Ambassadors and volunteer staff are together for a little under four days, and are going strong from 7am when they wake up until lights out at 11pm. Cheers accomplish a few different things. . .
1. It gets us moving and gets the blood flowing. Sitting and listening to speakers and participating in activities is fun, but we need to jump around, scream and shout, and make sure that we stay ALIVE, AWAKE, ALERT and most importantly ENTHUSIASTIC!
2. It shows how the group can be more creative together. Many of the cheers that we do are "time honored" but when small groups make up their own cheers, it can be a fun way to get the group working together.
3. Cheering can be the "great equalizer"! Seriously, we don't have days, weeks or months for people to feel comfortable with each other. . .we need to get there quickly, break down barriers and not be afraid to look or sound foolish - otherwise we won't participate and contribute to our capabilities.
Here is one of our "small groups" outside during a break practicing their cheer. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNbtCzUEpi8&feature=youtu.be
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