Aly Raisman Teams Up With Woodward To Inspire & Empower Next Generation Of Gymnasts

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In 2018, US Champion Gymnast and Advocate Aly Raisman partnered with Darkness to Light to provide immediate support to the gymnastics community and to begin work on a comprehensive program to help young athletes everywhere participate in a safe and abuse-free environment. Together, we launched the Flip the Switch Campaign calling on all adults involved in youth sports to complete Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® training. We are excited to join Aly and Woodward Camps to further the prevention conversation and partner with them to provide Stewards of Children® to all Woodward staff. See the full release below.

Gold Medalist & Advocate Joining As Woodward Gymnastics Program Designer; Partnership Unveils New Features & Expanded Programming for Summer 2021; Camp Registration Open Now

WOODWARD, PA. – February 4, 2019 – Woodward, the ultimate summer camp experience and part of POWDR, today announced an exciting partnership with one of the most decorated American gymnasts in history – Aly Raisman – as the Gymnastics Program Designer. This new partnership combines Woodward’s 50-year legacy of inspiring rising gymnasts with Raisman’s passion for a healthier and more positive gymnastics community to continue to foster a holistic camp experience that will empower the next generation of athletes.

Founded in 1970 as a premier gymnastics camp, Woodward first welcomed Raisman as a camper at age 11, and today embraces her return to help guide Woodward’s Gymnastics Program. In addition to her gymnastics expertise, Raisman will also incorporate health and wellness practices, body positivity messaging, and overall self-care tools into the Gymnastics Program.

“As a young gymnast, I had the opportunity to attend Woodward Gymnastics Camp, which was an exciting and positive experience that I shared with my teammates while also making many new friends,” said Raisman. “I am thrilled to be heading back to camp as the Gymnastics Program Designer and working with Woodward to continue to advance an environment where safety, wellness, self-confidence, personal growth, and fun are all part of the camp experience. We want to encourage gymnasts to learn new skills, and more importantly, we aim to empower the athletes to know they are so much more than their sport.”

In this new role, Raisman will help design Woodward’s Gymnastics Program, which features 88,000 square feet of dedicated gymnastics facilities with state-of-the-art equipment between Woodward PA and Woodward West. She will work with Woodward to help guide athlete VIP integration and coaching, menu offerings to ensure well-balanced nutrition, and activities that support gymnastic goals and passions outside of the sport, including dance parties, ballet, arts, horseback riding, and more.

“Aly Raisman is a phenomenal gymnast and leader, and we are excited to welcome her to the Woodward team as our Gymnastics Program Designer,” says Woodward Camps General Manager, Chris Prybylo. “Aly’s gymnastics resume speaks for itself, but more importantly, her core values align perfectly with Woodward’s – create the best gymnastics camp experience that allows campers to progress their skills, all while having fun in an inspiring environment.”

In addition, the partnership will continue to advance a healthy Woodward community, where campers can learn and thrive. Through Woodward and Raisman’s partnership with Darkness to Light, all Woodward staff will complete Stewards of Children® training.

Woodward’s summer camp gymnastics program kicks-off June 6. For more information on Woodward Gymnastics Camps and to register, visit: Pennsylvania: www.woodwardpa.com/aly and California: www.woodwardwest.com/aly

About Woodward PA & Woodward West

Woodward is a global experiential action sports company on a mission to inspire the next generation of action sports and athletes. For nearly 50 years, Woodward’s been a positive force for youth sports and a leader in popularizing and sustaining the action sports category. Woodward PA and Woodward West are THE summer camps to stoke passions, empower personal growth and elevate core skills across a range of sports such as gymnastics, cheer, skate, BMX, scooter and parkour. Experience Woodward’s innovative environments and dynamic programming at one of its 11 destinations across North America and Mexico. Learn more about Woodward’s one-of-a kind facilities, programming and culture at www.woodwardpa.com and www.woodwardwest.comWoodward is part of the POWDR portfolio.

About Aly Raisman
Raisman, team captain of the gold medal winning Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the second most decorated American gymnast of all-time with six total Olympic medals. The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only two U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back teams in more than 15 years, she helped guide the team to gold and landed a silver medal in the All-Around competition at the 2016 Games. A leader on and off the floor, Raisman uses her platform to promote positive body image and encourages everyone to be comfortable and confident in their own skin. In her New York Times best-selling memoir – Fierce – she shares the highs and lows of her journey, including her survival of sexual abuse. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman continues her advocacy for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and efforts to help to eradicate sexual abuse in youth sports.

About Darkness to Light
Darkness to Light is a nonprofit organization with the mission to empower adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Through education and awareness, the organization seeks to create a safer world for children to grow and thrive. Darkness to Light’s flagship program, Stewards of Children®, is an award-winning training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. More than 2 million adults including educators, youth serving professionals, organization volunteers, and community members have been certified in the program. Stewards of Children® is the only evidence-informed training of its kind, with the largest network of child protection advocates in the world as facilitators. For more information, visit www.D2L.org.

Media Contact:
Katherine Wood
Darkness to Light
843-513-1621
klee@D2L.org

One response to “Aly Raisman Teams Up With Woodward To Inspire & Empower Next Generation Of Gymnasts

  1. This is so exciting! As a former gymnast, parent to a current gymnast, pilates teacher and recreational gymnastics coach I see the mental and physical balance the sport needs. Aly’s passion for pilates and positive leadership experience will grow this program! I can’t wait to show my daughter what’s coming.

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