The 2005 NovaBigs Community Challenge benefits mentors and youth for the Northern Virginia Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters (NovaBigs). NovaBigs is a part of Big Brother Big Sisters of the National Capital Area (BBBSNCA) which serves the Washington DC metropolitan area. BBBSNCA is our region's Big Brothers Big Sisters of America organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face. Bigs (our mentors) provide Littles (our youth) with one-on-one time and attention typically two to four times a month. During these unstructured outings they cultivate relationships that provide children with skills to manage every day challenges. Through simple friendship, Bigs experience the joy of helping children discover a world of possibilities and opportunities.

To supplement the one-on-one time, NovaBigs organizes events and activities for our mentor/youth matches to experience together. We strive to organize events that are fun, interactive, and introduce them to people of character. Where possible, events try to incorporate an educational component but this is not always the case.

While many of our sponsors donate time and tickets for free, proceeds from our annual fundraiser help ease the financial burden for our Bigs and Littles to participate in events where there is a cost.

Here are a number of activities and events that some of our Bigs and Littles shared together in 2004-05.

Big League Umpiring Experience (B.L.U.E.) - Major League Baseball umpire Marvin Hudson invited a few fortunate Bigs and Littles for this behind the scenes look at baseball through the eyes of an umpire. Mr. Hudson provided an experience these Bigs and Littles will never forget. For more details go to www.worldumpires.com/features/070104BBBS.htm.

Behind the Scenes at Cirque du Soleil - Thanks to Anik Couture and Suzanne Desjardins of Cirque du Soleil, a small group of Bigs and Littles experienced a personal tour of Cirque du Soleil when the Varekai tour was in Washington D.C. last year. After the tour, everyone watched an afternoon performance and were amazed at the performances of people they had just seen warming up backstage. For more details go to www.novabigs.com/news/102204_cirque.htm.

The Challenger Space Center Voyage to Mars - Fourteen Bigs and their Littles met at the Challenger Learning Center in Alexandria for a two-hour simulation of a Mission to Mars. Bigs and Littles performed a dizzying amount of work: probes were launched to inspect Martian moons, landing sites were selected and targeted using complex guidance computers, experiments were performed on rock and soil samples, crops were chosen to feed the astronauts at the base, and all of this work had to be communicated between the two teams. For more information go to http://www.novabigs.com/news/030505_space.htm

Food Matters Cooking Experience - Professional chefs, Christy and Tom Przystawik, conducted a cooking class for a small group of Bigs and Littles. The group prepared a three course meal which they then enjoyed eating together.

ComedySportz Improv Performance - ComedySportz Improv club owner Liz Demery invited Bigs and Littles to the ComedySportz theater for an improv performance. Bigs and Littles laughed together in a highly interactive comedy show. For more details go to cszdc.com/kidz.htm.

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Trip - Each year Northern Virginia Bigs and Littles take part in their annual Chesapeake Bay fishing trip, made possible by the good people at the Northern Virginia chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association. Matches boarded the “Jil Carrie” on July 25, with Captain Jim Brincefield at the helm. After a full day of fishing, the captain and crew fillet the fish and everyone gets to take some home for dinner. For more details go to www.novabigs.com/news/083004_fishing.htm.

Other Events:

White Water Rafting
A Day at Kings Dominion
Skiing at Whitetail Ski Resort
End of the Year Picnic