TESTIMONIALS
Mommy Ida Malaca - Anton 8 and Idan 5
"We discovered OCR Kids last October 2022. We were so curious and interested about it that we immediately signed up our two boys, Anton 8, and Idan 5. We felt that this may be good for them since they are really active and adventurous and it was really hard to just keep them in a single place for a long time. When they started training with OCR kids their overflowing energy was put into something fruitful! We were so happy that in just 3 months, Anton and Idan became stronger, more skilled, and braver! Idan, who is usually scared of heights and falling down, now goes through the obstacles more confidently!
Aside from all the physical improvements such as stronger muscles and getting abs (lol), we really saw how much they improved in their self-respect, discipline, and social relationships. We also love how when they are faced with a difficult obstacle that they are not able to do, instead of giving up and cowering, they really put their minds and effort into learning it and getting stronger to be able to do it.
Other than that, being with the kids in the training helped us get to know them more. We get to spend the time supporting them, cheering for them, even comforting them when they get disappointed. We are so grateful for the coaches as well. Their efforts and cheers have really made an impact on the kids.
We recommend OCR kids to other parents because it is a great way to help the kids have a good start with sports while having fun."
Mommy Stella Aro - Daniella 9
"Back in 2018 when Daniella was only 5 years old, she "was a super fan of American Ninja Warriors TV Show. She asked if i knew a place in Manila that had a warped wall. Tough challenge but we found one! A friend referred us to visit Obstacle Sports Factory and met Coach Sarah and Coach Ken and thats how our OCR Kids journey began.
Daniella enjoyed just hanging and playing with the obstacles. As a parent, it gave me comfort to see how OCR kids taught her how to learn and complete the obs in a fun but safe way. OCR Kids classes were so much fun for her that pain from rips and falls never bothered her. At a young age, you could see her determination to complete a challenge presented to her. During races, she would get in the zone and perform her best with the coaches just encouraging her every step of the way.
Bringing up a young athlete is not an easy task. You either make them or break them. Its a parent-coach tandem with shared values that will hone the skills of a child physically, mentally and emotionally. Coach Sarah and team have always taught with the child’s “whole growth” in mind. Her firm yet nurturing personality attracts all the kids to her. She gets to know each and everyone’s strength and works on your weaknesses one by one. The positive environment helps a lot in a very challenging sport. This has greatly impacted Daniella’s character. She gets her strength from the positive reinforcement of her coaches and peers and is always reminded that what is important is that you try your best and have fun. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, it didnt stop Daniella from continuing what she loves, OCR.
Now at 10 years old and still doing obstacles, Daniella continues to grow in skill and in character by being exposed to more trainings and competitions. Through the years, her friendship with fellow OCR Kids has grown deeper and stronger. They are friends more than competitors. They are together through ups and down, wins and loses. They encourage and comfort one another. The older kids watch over the younger ones. They care for each other. They are OCR Kids.
We wear the OCR Kids badge loud and proud, inside and out, because we aim to spread the love for the kids, the sport and the community."
Daddy Al Galang - David
"After two years into the pandemic, our son David badly needed an outlet for his physical energy. Fortunately we found OCR Kids. Beyond the obstacles providing an exciting playground for kids, the coaches of OCR have been a source of motivation and learning that’s rare. Not only has our child found confidence and fitness growth, he’s also found a community of kids and adults that support and encourage each other lovingly."
Mommy Maybelle Ti - Gavin 13
As parents of kids diagnosed as twice-exceptional (highly gifted and at the same time has ADHD), we try our best to choose the kind of learning environment that would be best for each of our children. Gavin was always up and about, running, climbing, and jumping everywhere. It wasn’t just about giving him something to be busy with all the time. While screen time (whether it be video games or watching TV) entertained him, it would only make him more restless -- and even anxiously bored -- afterwards. I remember bringing him to the village playground and seeing his boundless energy on the monkey bars thinking, “Might as well help him learn to climb, hang, and jump safely.”
When I came across all the posts of Coach Sarah and OCR Kids in Facebook, I knew I just had to let Gavin try it out. He was 9 years old when he first met Coach Sarah and tried out the different obstacles. He was so tired. He was so sweaty. He was so red. He found the obstacles quite challenging. But he was SO HAPPY! We kept on enrolling him for classes season after season since then. It was like he found his second home.
OCR Kids has never just been about the skills training. It’s his community. The way the coaches connect with the kids and communicate with us parents sets an atmosphere where all the families cheer for each other’s children -- even when they’re in competitions against each other. This joyful connection helps the kids trust their coaches, so much so that when the coaches present them with bigger challenges, they willingly want to try and try even with painful, blistered hands!
It was through the joy of this community that Gavin conquered his big fear of heights and found the courage to take on bigger, bolder moves. Now, whenever he comes across a new obstacle that seems scary to him, he knows how to navigate through his mind and heart to bravely conquer it until he becomes comfortable with it.
Training 2-3x a week eventually means having calm nights and much better sleep for Gavin. Our developmental pediatrician says that with the positive effect of his regular training, Gavin doesn’t need to take any medication for ADHD. OCR is truly a gift to our family!
As of this writing, Gavin is 13 years old and is part of the Youth Training Pool of the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation. He is hoping to qualify this year for the Philippine Youth National Team, if this is within the Lord’s will for him. But even in this very young age, he has a desire to help other kids overcome obstacles by assisting in coaching whenever he can. We are so blessed by his heart to help others -- and we believe that we have his early years in OCR Kids to thank for that!
