Frequently asked questions

Most team-building programs are one-and-done. A speaker comes in, athletes clap, and nothing changes by Tuesday. Character in Competition is built differently — in three specific ways.

First, it is designed specifically for girls in competitive sports, not adapted from a corporate retreat or a generic youth program. The program speaks directly to the dynamics that actually exist in female athletic environments: comparison culture, social hierarchy, exclusion, and the pressure to perform.

Second, athletes do not just hear ideas — they build something together. The Team Code is theirs. The conversations are real. The tools are practical enough to use the very next day.

Third, the program does not end after five sessions. Pulse Sessions across the season ensure the work actually takes root rather than fading after the first hard week. Culture change requires reinforcement, and this program is built to provide it.

The cost of not addressing team culture is higher than the cost of this program. Teams where girls fear exclusion, avoid conflict, or disengage from the sport they love perform worse, retain fewer athletes, and create environments that coaches struggle to manage.

Character in Competition addresses those dynamics directly and gives athletes tools they will use far beyond the season. Organizations that invest in this program are investing in their team's ability to communicate, compete, and stay together when things get hard.

No. The price you are quoted is the flat rate — materials, facilitation, and travel within 90 miles of Sartell, MN are all included. For organizations outside that radius, a travel and mileage fee will be determined at the time of booking. You will always know the full cost before you commit.

Yes. Character in Competition carries liability insurance. If your organization requires a certificate of insurance before we begin, just let us know and we will provide it.

Each session is 40 minutes total: 5 minutes of facilitator introduction and framing, 30 minutes of program activities, and 5 minutes of wrap-up and close. Sessions are designed to be attached to the beginning or end of a practice with minimal disruption to your schedule.

That is entirely your call. Coaches are welcome to observe, and some organizations find it valuable for their staff to hear what athletes are working through. However, athletes tend to be more honest and more engaged when they are with their peers.

If coaches are present, we ask that they observe only — not participate in or redirect the conversation. The sessions belong to the athletes. If you are unsure, we recommend starting without coaches in the room and revisiting after the first session.

Up to 20 athletes per session. Because each session is only 30 minutes of active program time, keeping the group size manageable is essential — every athlete needs the opportunity to participate, reflect, and be heard. Larger groups prevent that from happening.

If you have more than 20 athletes, we will work with you to schedule additional sessions so no one is left out.

No — and this is intentional. Each team goes through the program together because the work is specific to their relationships, their dynamics, and their season. They build their own Team Code as a group, and that process only works when the group is a real team that competes and practices together.

Combining teams would undermine that process. Each team receives their own dedicated sessions.

Not at this time. We are exploring what a digital component could look like in the future, but the program is intentionally designed to be screen-free. One of the most valuable things we give athletes is dedicated time to disconnect from technology and actually talk to each other.

Phones away is part of the experience — and part of what makes it work.

The program was built from lived experience watching girls navigate the specific social dynamics of competitive sports: exclusion, comparison culture, social media pressure, and the particular way conflict surfaces in female athletic environments. These dynamics are real and distinct, and the program speaks directly to them.

The skills in this program are universal — and if there is sufficient demand for a version designed for boys or co-ed teams, that is something we are open to exploring in the future.

Pulse Sessions are timed to specific points in your season. The Early Season Pulse happens 2 to 4 weeks after the final core session, once athletes have had time to apply what they learned.

The Mid-Season Pulse happens at the halfway point of the competitive season — when pressure, conflict, and fatigue are highest and culture either holds or fractures.

The End-of-Season Pulse happens in the final week of the regular season or the week after, before the team fully disperses. A season calendar is provided to help you map all touchpoints before the season begins.

No. Character in Competition is a character development and team culture program, not a mental health intervention. Sessions are facilitated, not therapeutic.

That said, facilitators stay attentive to how athletes are doing. If anything suggests an athlete may need more support than a team-culture program is meant to provide, we will let your staff know so she can be connected with the right people.

Participation is encouraged, not forced. Every activity is designed to be accessible and low pressure — athletes are never required to share something they are not comfortable with. Anonymous activities are used throughout the program specifically to lower the barrier to honesty.

In practice, engagement tends to be high because the conversations feel real and relevant to their lives.

Momentum and Full Partnership organizations receive a Year-End Summary that includes pillar growth scores from athlete self-assessments at the Early and End-of-Season Pulse Sessions, facilitator observations, notable themes from the season, and recommendations for next year.

You will have a concrete record of what changed — backed by the athletes' own words.

Yes. Sessions are 40 minutes total and can be attached to the beginning or end of a practice with minimal disruption. We work around your calendar, not the other way around.

Yes. We want to be flexible and do what works best for you. You are welcome to combine sessions together if you would like. You can even set aside approximately 3 hours to go through the entire program in one day if preferred.

Life happens — we get it. We ask for at least a 1 week notice for rescheduling when possible. Sessions are rescheduled at no additional cost within the same partnership period.

Parents do not need to be present for sessions. We strongly recommend informing parents that their athlete is participating — transparency builds trust and allows families to reinforce the concepts at home.

Additionally, we will ask that a waiver is signed by the parent or caregiver, giving consent to their athlete participating.

No. We respect the privacy of the athletes we are working with. We will not collect any personal information on them. Any data collected is based on survey scores that are anonymous in nature.

No. Athletes show up as they are. There is no homework, no pre-reading, and no prior experience required. Everything is built into the 40-minute session itself.