Bubel Aiken Foundation: 100 Camps in 2008

The Bubel Aiken Foundation has laid out an exciting plan for 2008 - they will be expanding their "Let's ALL Play" program to support 100 summer recreational programs across the country. The BAF sent this email to its supporters outlining their plan:

Coming soon on our website-www.bubelaiken.org:

100 Camps for 2008
TBAF Excited about Expansion of Let's ALL Play Program

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation (TBAF) is excited to step forward to expand its
Let's ALL Play Program. For the summer camp season of 2008, TBAF seeks to
support 100 recreational programs in implementing inclusive camps by
providing a program model, funding, and training. Programs will participate
in a grant process to receive funding. TBAF is looking for quality programs
like the ones they have worked with to develop the Let's ALL Play model. To
check out the grant process, please visit our website under Grants

In order to provide the financial backing to these programs, TBAF is looking
to its current volunteer and support base for innovative ideas that will
increase awareness and help raise the necessary funding. The Foundation
will participate in efforts to expand awareness beyond our donor base to
people that are not aware of the message of inclusion and the programs of
TBAF. Corporate sponsors are also being sought as a key element of support
and visibility for inclusion.

Dedicated volunteers and supporters are already busy at work with various
projects to support the Let's ALL Play initiative. In the true grassroots
spirit, volunteers are seeking to raise awareness and money through can
recycling, scrapbooking, social gatherings, and selling items such as
watches, lanyards, key chains, and stuffed animals. To see all the
fundraising possibilities, see Approved Fundraisers on our website.

TBAF will work to update supporters through email newsletters. The first
newsletter release is targeted for August 15. If you would like to receive
the newsletter, register through Connect on the home page. If you would
like to learn more about becoming a Voices of Beta Alpha volunteer, click on
Voices of Beta Alpha from the home page.

Let ALL Play helps to bring an inclusive recreational experience to children
with disabilities. It gives children with developmental disabilities the
same experience as those without. Children with disabilities and their peers
who are typically developing come together to participate in recreational
activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, community service, physical
fitness and more.

The goal of Let's ALL Play is to assist organizations that serve children
nationwide in moving toward full inclusion. In 2004, the inclusive
recreational experience for children with and without disabilities was
instituted by the Foundation in collaboration with the summer camp programs
run by the YMCA of Greater Kansas City; the West Cabarrus YMCA in Concord,
NC; and the A.E. Finley YMCA in Raleigh, NC. The Foundation has also worked
to expand age reach with a preschool pilot program at the Hobart YMCA in
Indiana. Through the pilot program phase, TBAF worked with professionals in
education, recreation, and camp administration to develop a model that
worked. Recreational sites now have as a resource tested, successful,
comprehensive program model supported through TBAF's training module.

TBAF looks to create communities where ALL children can learn, live, and
play together. With 100 camps in 2008 implementing Let's ALL Play, TBAF
will take a big step toward that goal. It is with the continued support of
dedicated volunteers and the assistance of new supporters TBAF will make
this possible. Many thanks!

Aron Hall
Director Services

Creating communities where ALL children can learn, live, and play together.