What youth-HS sport was the best experience for your family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tackle Football. Hands down. Not even close.

Most tight knit, supportive, positive teammate.

I'll add, because I think, in part, the parents know their kids aren't going to the NFL, and only a few would even think about talking about going D1.

That seems to eliminate some of the toxic culture in the parents.

and then the kids become so close because of how much they rely on each other out in the field. I know every sport relies on their teammates, but its a scale. And I don't think any sport requires more trust of teammates than football. It's really great to see

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer swim. The community over years of both kids and parents. I feel like it’s how I’ve watched the kids of my neighborhood grow up.

Have heard others say this too but swim team is such a clique at our pool. And the schedule is almost impossible for working parents unless you have a nanny.

+same. You're only welcomed if you're good enough to help the team but not threaten the individual results of the best swimmers. I thought the atmosphere was toxic. I made my kids do it for just 2 years to solidify their swimming skills, but they begged me to stop, which I agreed to eventually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer swim. The community over years of both kids and parents. I feel like it’s how I’ve watched the kids of my neighborhood grow up.

Have heard others say this too but swim team is such a clique at our pool. And the schedule is almost impossible for working parents unless you have a nanny.

+same. You're only welcomed if you're good enough to help the team but not threaten the individual results of the best swimmers. I thought the atmosphere was toxic. I made my kids do it for just 2 years to solidify their swimming skills, but they begged me to stop, which I agreed to eventually.

I think there is a huge variation in the culture of swim team between different neighborhoods and teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer swim. The community over years of both kids and parents. I feel like it’s how I’ve watched the kids of my neighborhood grow up.

Have heard others say this too but swim team is such a clique at our pool. And the schedule is almost impossible for working parents unless you have a nanny.

+same. You're only welcomed if you're good enough to help the team but not threaten the individual results of the best swimmers. I thought the atmosphere was toxic. I made my kids do it for just 2 years to solidify their swimming skills, but they begged me to stop, which I agreed to eventually.

I think there is a huge variation in the culture of swim team between different neighborhoods and teams.

I suspect this is true for every sport. More laid back, easygoing parents = a better experience for the kids. Some areas just don't seem to have as many laid back, easygoing families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tackle Football. Hands down. Not even close.

Most tight knit, supportive, positive teammate.

I'll add, because I think, in part, the parents know their kids aren't going to the NFL, and only a few would even think about talking about going D1.

That seems to eliminate some of the toxic culture in the parents.

and then the kids become so close because of how much they rely on each other out in the field. I know every sport relies on their teammates, but its a scale. And I don't think any sport requires more trust of teammates than football. It's really great to see

Aren't most of the worst hazing incidents in this area Football?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/a-football-locker-room-a-broomstick-and-a-sex-assault-case-roil-a-school/2019/03/29/01500f30-2fc8-11e9-8ad3-9a5b113ecd3c_story.html

[Anonymous]

Wrestling. My mid-sized children (through hard work) were able to be extremely successful at it. It didn't cost a ton of money. Zero politics about positions or playing time. We made life-long friends with other parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer swim. The community over years of both kids and parents. I feel like it’s how I’ve watched the kids of my neighborhood grow up.

Have heard others say this too but swim team is such a clique at our pool. And the schedule is almost impossible for working parents unless you have a nanny.

+same. You're only welcomed if you're good enough to help the team but not threaten the individual results of the best swimmers. I thought the atmosphere was toxic. I made my kids do it for just 2 years to solidify their swimming skills, but they begged me to stop, which I agreed to eventually.

+1

Exact same. I found swim team really cliquey and even a bit toxic- made it 2 years but my kids haaaated every minute of it so we stopped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wrestling. My mid-sized children (through hard work) were able to be extremely successful at it. It didn't cost a ton of money. Zero politics about positions or playing time. We made life-long friends with other parents.

Agree. The dad wrestling coaches seem to genuinely want everyone to do well, and they are contagious with their love for the sport. Great community from the young ages through high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ultimate frisbee

This. Ultimate is the best.

[Anonymous]

We’ve had great experiences with city/county rec basketball leagues (hated PPA), XC, and MSI soccer. Most of our travel soccer experience has been great too, but you definitely need a bit of luck to end up on a nice team with a great coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wrestling. My mid-sized children (through hard work) were able to be extremely successful at it. It didn't cost a ton of money. Zero politics about positions or playing time. We made life-long friends with other parents.

Agree. The dad wrestling coaches seem to genuinely want everyone to do well, and they are contagious with their love for the sport. Great community from the young ages through high school.

I'm PP. The wrestling coaches my kids had, from youth up through high school, were so incredibly positive and supportive. My kids had so many people rooting for them on the mat and in life. They can still walk into any wrestling room in the county and know someone who will be thrilled to see them and ask how college is going. It's a fantastic community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Climbing. Great, inclusive community.

Where are there climbing teams?

Most of the indoor climbing gyms have a youth team. Movement (Crystal City), Sport Rock, etc. Look for your nearest climbing gym, and I bet you'll find a team hosted there.

[Anonymous]

Hands down cross country! But I think my kid was lucky to be in a program with an incredible coach and team. Was honestly life changing for him. Leadership experience, role models, teammates, confidence, life long activity. He could have run D3 but ultimately ended up at a larger D1 college that was a better fit academically.

My kids all love summer swim too and we have a great pool community. But I don’t rank it as highly as XC bc if your kid ends up swimming competitively, practice is sooo early, lol.

[Anonymous]

9:21 -- I agree! Thanks for your efforts!

[Anonymous]

Whatever sport is not as competitive and kids are nerdy so cross country rock climbing rowing fencing maybe?