At the CORE (Center of Recreational Excellence) in Hobbs, New Mexico, we strive every day to live up to our name. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to play, and our programming focuses on introducing both children and adults to the lifelong benefits of physical activity. We go beyond simply teaching the importance of physical health and wellness; we immerse our participants in an active environment so they can experience those benefits firsthand.

A shining example of this philosophy is our Homeschool PE program. Designed primarily for elementary-aged homeschooled children (but open to all school-aged groups), the program currently offers three distinct classes separated by age groups. Each class meets twice a week throughout the school year, and participants always look forward to our end-of-semester celebrations held around Thanksgiving and just before summer.

The Homeschool PE program was originally launched to provide structured physical education for children who lacked access to traditional gym classes, helping families meet state curriculum requirements. Over the years, our instructors have taught the fundamentals of traditional sports like basketball, football, soccer and volleyball, as well as backyard favorites and non-traditional sports such as cricket, spike ball, ladder ball and archery. Additionally, at least three times a year, we dedicate an entire week to aquatics. Through this focused pool time, we have witnessed remarkable transformations as participants progress from being fearful of the water to becoming confident, capable swimmers.

As the program expanded, we discovered that even greater community milestones were being achieved as a natural byproduct. Families began connecting beyond class hours, creating much-needed support networks for parents. Phone numbers were exchanged, playdates were scheduled outside the facility, and families regularly returned to the CORE together so their children could keep playing with their new friends. The program has given these students a unique space to build self-confidence and develop a true sense of belonging.

What started as an initiative to promote physical literacy and generate foot traffic during traditionally slower mid-morning and early-afternoon hours has evolved into a vital community pillar. The Homeschool PE program uses creative, engaging activities to instill a lifelong love for movement in our youth. We use healthy competition to elevate learning rather than focusing strictly on the pressure to win at all costs. After all, while there is generally only one winner in any given game, every single participant can walk away as a learner.

Through these shared experiences, our students learn that the world is much bigger than just themselves. Some of the core concepts built into our daily curriculum include:

• Taking Turns: Learning patience and recognizing that peers also deserve their moment to shine and have fun.
• Being Observant: Understanding that waiting in line is a valuable opportunity to watch, listen, and learn from a classmate's experience.
• Demonstrating Leadership: Exercising patience with peers who may need more time to master a task, and actively offering them support or guidance.
• Reframing Loss: Embracing the idea that losing is not failure, but rather a valuable step toward personal growth. It is an opportunity to learn and evaluate.
• Building Team Unity: Working collaboratively to highlight the individual strengths of each team member and turning personal obstacles into opportunities for collective team growth.
• Developing Resilience: Recognizing that mistakes are an inevitable part of the process and learning to grow from them every time.

Over the eight years we have hosted this program at the CORE, we have cultivated small but meaningful principles within our participants. While they may not all grow up to be the professional athletes their parents might dream of, they leave our program with a versatile toolset. Equipped with a wide repertoire of physical skills and a solid understanding of sportsmanship, they have the confidence to take up any sport or physical activity they choose. We are incredibly proud of the ways this program successfully engages the next generation in a lifetime of recreation.

Lyndsey Henderson, CPRP, is the facility director at the Center Of Recreation Excellence (CORE).