This past Saturday June 1st was a history-making day for DC youth soccer. The 18th annual DC SCORES Jamboree! brought together over 1,450 DC SCORES participants from 45 elementary and middle schools and all 8 wards of Washington, DC. The students, whose families lined every field, played a collective 148 soccer games, totaling 2,960 minutes of physical activity for the low-income youth. The expansive scene at Anacostia Park on Saturday was astonishing. In addition to 14 soccer fields, present were multiple tents for lunch, healthy snacks, face painting, arts & crafts, coach appreciation, USMNT & USWNT players from the Athletes’ Advisory Council, representatives from Penya Barcelonista club of Washington, and many others.

Among the most popular tents was a parent booth where families learned from bilingual Ask, Listen, Learn materials contributed by The Century Council.  Tough & serious dialogue about underage drinking, and drinking and driving took place in the safe confines of the fun event. Parents and players were rewarded for initiating these challenging conversations with t-shirts and sunglasses donated by The Century Council. Students particularly loved the Ask, Listen, Learn branded sunglasses which sent a very clear message: these students were making the “cool” choice NOT to engage in risky behaviors like underage drinking or riding in a car with an intoxicated driver.  Six lucky families went home with Ask, Listen, Learn game consoles to hook up to their televisions and keep the dialogue going in a fun, active way in their own living rooms.

DC SCORES students play the Ask, Listen, Learn games during soccer practices on rainy days, so winners were elated at the prospect of teaching parents and siblings to play as well. Sending educational materials, gifts, and prizes to DC SCORES program events is a small part of our larger relationship with The Century Council, but it’s one that has a profound impact on thousands of families all over DC. Would you like to help us make a difference? Mark your calendar now for the 19th annual DC SCORES Jamboree! on June 8th, 2014, and we’ll see you out at Anacostia Park!