Rock Solid Character

Doerre Intermediate

Doerre Intermediate in Klein ISD was the second to the last Rock Solid Character event for this year. We got it done before the snowstarted to fall in Texas on Friday. That's right, I said snow. Thankfully Thursday was a crisp, sunny day that made for some good rock climbing. We met some great 7th grade students.

As we gave our talk, it was real easy to talk to the students about Tiger Woods and the poor choices he has made. Getting a grip on the seven handholds for success is vital, not only for life, but also for marriage and relationships. Within a marriage or relationship, couples or friends need to treat each other with Respect, Honesty, Caring and Cooperation, and Trustworthiness. Are there going to be challenging times in a marriage or relationship? Of course, so we need to Persevere.

So many of our student's idols today are choosing to grab on to bad "handholds." It was great to get out to Doerre and encourage the students to choose the good "handholds." The students of today don't have to imitate the stars of today. They can reach greater heights by "getting a grip on the good stuff!"

Epps Island Elementary

What a beautiful day in Houston! The weather was incredible and the students of Epps Island Elementary were excited. One of the special moments during our time at Epps Island came during the last program of the day. We were working with third grade. As I was harnessing a young lady, she said, "I am scared to death right now." So we talked about how it was okay and natural to be scared. She agreed to try her best and off she went. A bit later in the program, she came over to me with a huge smile on her face. "I did it," she said. "I made it half way up!" I was so excited for her. Here was a girl that had faced a difficult challenge, pushed through her fear, and learned that she could succeed. What a big lesson to learn and apply to the rest of her life. It doesn't matter if the weather is beautiful or not, when students learn lessons like this, it is always a beautiful day.

Keep reaching new heights Epps Island!

Climb On!

Kool Keith

Red Ribon Week: 2009

This has been a busy time for all of us at Rock Solid Character. We spent 1.5 days at Hedgcoxe Elementary in Plano and a full day at both Peavy Primary in Lufkin and Groesbeck Elementary. We have definitely been battling the weather. In Plano it was cold! In Lufkin it was raining. In Groesbeck the clouds were grey and threatening all day. The students did great and persevered.

We were fortunate in Groesbeck to allow them to have two climbs on the Character Rock. I remember after one student finished his first climb, he went back to the same line to climb the same route. He said to one of the other students in line, "I'm going to watch others to see how they do it and then try again." It reminded me about the importance of having a mentor and surrounding yourself with friends who have good character. When we have a mentor or friends with good character, we can learn from others and the good choices they make.

If your friends start talking about trying drugs, tell them it's like climbing without a harness. Remind them of the need to respect our "climbing machine." Drugs will just destroy it and keep you from making it to the top. Have the courage to do what is right, even if you're afraid of the reaction of your friends.

Climb On! Kool Keith

Coulson Tough Elementary

This past Friday, we traveled down to The Woodlands to Coulson Tough Elementary. What a beautiful day! We worked with the 5^th and 6^th graders and had a wonderful time. These students showed Caring and Cooperation through out the day. For example, a student was hanging back not wanting to climb, so a group of students began talking with this student. Because of their caring encouragement, he decided to climb. Then as this student climbed, the other students rallied their classmates to cheer him on. It was so exciting to see the positive influence that they were having on each other. Like these students, you can make a positive difference in the lives of your classmates. Treating others with Respect, Caring, and Cooperation will help them climb as high as possible in the climb of life. Keep it up Coulson Tough!

Climb On! Kool Keith

Vista Academy

October is off to a good start! We stayed close to home and spent the morning with the students of Vista Academy. The program was provided by a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife. This was the first time we have ever been to Vista Academy. It was so fun to see their expressions when they saw the 25' rock wall for the first time. Their jaws dropped and their eyes got bigger. The students got a grip on Courage and climbed the rock despite their nervous feelings. The principle told us the students had worked hard and shown a lot of responsibility during a recent testing time. Way to go! Taking care of our business now will help us develop responsibility as we get older. These students also took care of business on the rock wall.

Climb On! Kool Keith

Velma Penny Elementary

Our travels this week took us to Lindale, Texas. Where we meet up with students from Velma Penny Elementary. These students had a big grip on courage. It was our first time being there and many students were climbing on the Character Rock for the first time. Even though they were scared and nervous, it was the right thing to do and they climbed so well.

Another first for Velma Penny; this was the first school that was so loud when cheering for each other that I had to cover my ears! I was impressed with one student that didn't get to climb, but he was the one leading the cheering for those that were climbing. Those are the kinds of friends I want! Great job Penny Elementary.

Climb On! Kool Keith

Hood Case Elementary

What a beautiful day to be in Alvin, Texas at Hood Case Elementary. Jumping Jeff, Bouldering Brian, and I had a lot of fun with these students. I recognized many of the students from last year. The new dvd really got them excited and helped them review the character lesson.

These students did a great job respecting one another. Remember that respect is a two-way street. You respect someone and then that person respects you. The students at Hood Case were cheering for their classmates and then being cheered on as well. It was wonderful to see. We look forward seeing these students again next year.

Climb On! Kool Keith

Pomeroy elementary

Kool Keith here. We've been busy, but I am trying to catch up with the blog. We have had a great spring with some incredible schools. April 1 and 2 we were at Pomeroy Elementary in Pasadena, Texas. It was my first time at Pomeroy and I had blast. These kids were so excited to learn about character by climbing on the Character Rock. The weather tried to keep us from completing the second day. We, however, got a grip on perseverance. Remember that perseverance means to "keep on keeping on even when things get tough!" We were able to wait just a little bit and the sun came out and we finished the day.

I would like to give Pomeroy a creativity award! You should have seen the poster that the school made to promote Rock Solid Character. In their cafeteria there was a big, paper mountain. It had the "seven handholds for success" along a path that led to the top. Way to go! We look forward to seeing the students again!

Climb On!

Rock Solid Character Report Card: Teachers And Faculty Announce Positive Results

"We hold the view that all students musts be treated with care and respect and that we must engender a positive school environment where students feel safe and secure."

William Modzeleski, Director - Safe and Drug Free / U.S. Department of Education

Teachers are always looking for new ways to generate excitement for learning. And when it comes to teaching character, Rock Solid Character (RSC) covers all the bases. The program is interactive, fun, and educational. It also integrates the use of mind and body through the employment of mental and physical activities.

Witness what school teachers, faculty and parents near you have to say about the RSC program:

“Our faculty and students loved the personal challenge and sense of accomplishment they achieved nomatter how high they climbed. We enjoyed so much the hands-on event for our students and not a passive presentation. Thanks for a fantastic experience.”

Nita Fields, Counselor – Llano ISD

“I just wanted to let you know what an impact your Rock Solid Character presentation had on my daughter who is five years old. Congratulations on a job well done and thanks a million for helping our kids!”

Kelly Schimcek, Teacher – Gonzales ISD

“On the day of the rock climbing experience, I was dealing with a sixth grade boy who was given a discipline referral the previous day for threatening a student. As we visited about the incident, he expressed regret for what he had done ...

When I asked him where he learned about character, he said that he had participated in the rock climbing experience earlier in the day and that he had learned about character there."

Becky Burghardt, Assistant Principal- Oakwood Intermediate School

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Click here, to read more about what teachers/faculty and parents have to say about the Rock Solid Character program.

For more information about Rock Solid Character and our unique Character Education Programs, visit our website or contact us toll free at 1-888-615-TEAM (8326) or locally, at 936-435-9845.

 

RSC Founder Paul Short Has Rock Solid Character

As some kids like to say, "it takes one to know one," and Paul Short has what it takes to bring the best quality Character Building Programs in Texas today.

Paul Short, founder of Rock Solid Character, has devoted his professional life to experiential education -- "learning while doing." Seeing people of all ages recognize and learn about their potential drives this certified teacher.

As a former mountain guide instructor, Paul has taken countless people through ropes/challenge courses, camping, backpacking, paddling, climbing and survival activities.

Paul has decided to take the "mountain" to the masses. His Rock Solid Character lessons instill character growth in young people, their parents, and school officials through adventure-based experiences. Each lesson has one objective -- "helping people incorporate the principles back in the REAL world."

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For more information about Rock Solid Character and our unique Character Education Programs, visit our website or contact us toll free at 1-888-615-TEAM (8326) or locally, at 936-435-9845.