September Community Captain of the Month Kate Armentrout
For the month of September, the Community Captain of the Month honor goes to Active SWV’s own Development Director, Kate Armentrout! Read her story and if you’ve never come to play pickleball with her, what are you waiting for!
Tell us about yourself, where are you from?
I was born and raised in Beckley, WV. My family spent a lot of weekends getting outside on the river and trails in the New River Gorge area, which is where I reside now. Many of my passions revolve around physical activity and being outside – from rafting to roller derby and even finding inspiration for my artwork!
Why are you active? How did you start being physically active?
I grew up as the middle child between two brothers, and of course wanted to beat them at whatever sport or game of the moment. We were fortunate to grow up on a dead-end street where we played outside from sun up (or rather whenever we woke up) to well past dark daily with 10-20+ kids playing anything from kickball, trampoline games, football, whiffle ball, kick the can, and spotlight, going from one activity to the next. Being active was never really a thought, it was just what we did! I played many organized sports growing up, with my passion being soccer, which I played through college and still play weekly pick-up.
What motivated you to volunteer with Active SWV in your community?
My motivation to volunteer with Active SWV came from seeing a lack of an in-demand activity in Fayette County – pickleball! I actually learned how to play pickleball through other great Active SWV volunteers, Theresa Workman and Jenny Robinson, pre-pandemic and before I started working with Active SWV. Fast forward to 2022 where we found community partners willing to work with Active SWV to host consistent pickleball (big thanks Midland Trail Community Center and the Memorial Building) where Active SWV volunteers have introduced many new players to the great game of pickleball!
How do you stay motivated? Why is being active a priority for you?
It’s not hard to stay motivated when I’m doing all the activities I love to do with people I like to hang out with, but I always have in the back of my mind that I want to be able to keep doing these activities for years to come. I want to be the 70-year-old lady slaying in pickleball. I want to still be rafting the Gauley for years to come. Many of the people I look up to have kept physical activity as a top priority in their lives and I see the benefits and joy staying active brings them – I want that!
Why do you think someone should join an Active SWV free program?
Why not!? Active SWV provides an array of physical activity options all for free led by trained volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and maybe find a new passion in an activity you haven’t tried before.
Find your passion with Active SWV Community Captain volunteer led free physical activity, visit our monthly calendar here.
