The Ocean State Guardian - Winter 2010

is able to offer a team-building
and leadership training program
that provides sports captains the
opportunity to understand the
meaning of leadership.
“It was fantastic watching these
young athletes step up in an
environment that they are unaccustomed
to and then overcome their
individual fear of heights by rapelling
down a 60-foot tower, and also
step up as team players and join
forces with other high school peers
to successfully navigate through a
very challenging obstacle course,”
said Maj. John Bento, Rhode Island
National Guard Recruiting and
Retention commander.
Through the series of group and
individual challenging activities with
members of the RING, the sports
captains are exposed to teambuilding
and leadership activities
that will teach what being a leader means through teambuilding
skills, communication skills and confidence building.
Overall, the goal and objective is to provide team sports
captains an experience that promotes cooperation versus
competition when individuals are able to explore their unique
Sgt. John Reiff instructs local high school students on how to tie their own “swiss seat” rappelling harness on Sept. 29, 2010 at
Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich, R.I. The students then rappelled down a 60 foot high tower as part of the Sports Captains
Challenge held by the Rhode Island National Guard and Rhode Island Interscholastic League. Photo: Sgt. Megan Burmeister
leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
“The RING members play an integral part in bringing the
conference to life as positive role models who exemplify the
message of leadership and respect,” said Gail Lepore, R.I.
Interscholastic League.
Winter 2010 / Rhode Island National Guard 21