Back in the summer of 2019, YHC and Bellhop signed up to be AOQs of what became Romper Room. The idea of a family-friendly weekend workout had been bouncing around for some time, championed by Knope and inspired by what Stinky Pete and our Southern brothers in Briar Chapel had going on with SunnySide.

We launched in August of 2019, going with a biweekly schedule. We didn’t want to poach anyone away from SunnySide, and TBH we just weren’t sure what the overall interest would be. Well, after 38 PAX came out for the official launch, we continued to average over 20 PAX/session for 2019. The start of 2020 put a social-distance damper on Romper Room (along with the rest of F3), and Bellhop and YHC hesitated to restart RR in these COVID-times. Would we be able to keep our 2.0’s from climbing all over each other? Would anyone even still want to come? In addition, the time was right for YHC to turn over the RR reins, as YHC had taken on the role of AOQ at The Falcon. Fortunately, YHC knew just the HIM, and Castaway gladly stepped up to lead along with Bellhop.

Knope and his crew took the Q for the relaunch kick-off on 6/6/2020, and not only did people come, a new Romper Room record was set with 39 PAX that day! Numbers have remained in the high 20s and the 30s throughout the summer. YHC was delighted to hear that Castaway and Bellhop were considering taking RR to a weekly cadence. SunnySide has now been allowed to gracefully retire from the list of Churham AOs, as the 2.0s in BC have mostly aged out of the workout. YHC was excited and honored to help lead Romper Room this week, the first on its new weekly schedule.

25 PAX gathered on the turf fields to get started.

Warmup

• SSH x20

• WMH x12

• Imperial Walker x12

• LBAC/Reverse x12

• Slow Merkin x10

• Slow squat x10

• Burpees x10

• Warm-up Half Lap

Thang

First up, several rounds of Red Light/Green Light. YHC held plank with his head down for the “Green Light” portions, and jumped up to a standing position for “Red Light.” PAX traveled first via run, then by bear crawl, and finally by crab walk. Penalty of 5 burpees for anyone caught moving during “Red Light” but very few penalties needed to be handed out!

After a brief water break, the PAX got to perform an exercise which has been on hiatus recently from F3 workouts – the Buddy Carry! It’s ok when you’re only carrying your family member! PAX started at the goal line, and ran a shuttle run/suicide on the soccer field. The twist was you had to transport your 2.0 to each line via buddy carry. The 2.0s progressed forward one line at a time, and waited patiently for their parent to return by performing AMRAP Merkins, SSH, squats, or anything else they wanted.

Next, we stayed on the goal-line for a few rounds of Musical Dora. Instead of going to a pre-set number of reps, family units switched off running and performing an exercise for the duration of one song. Exercises were:

• Merkins
• Jump Squats
• Flutter Kicks

YHC learned that some songs are longer than others! And to perhaps aim for songs more in the 3 minute range for future Musical Doras. PAX kept a good attitude though and pounded out those reps.

One more water break, and then we all circled up, staying in family units. We did multiple rounds of Freeze “Dancing”, with PAX performing an exercise while the music played, and then freezing when the music stopped. Bowser and Frozone very much enjoyed pausing the music and calling out penalties. Again, 5 penalty burpees for forgetting to freeze. Exercises were:

• SSH
• Goofballs
• Mountain Climbers

One minute left for a very brief Mary of LBCs IC

Minimal specific announcements or prayer requests today. YHC took us out.

YHC is pumped about the direction that Bellhop and Castaway are taking Romper Room in 2020. Here’s looking forward to more great times sweating with the whole family!