Let's ALL Play: A Message From TBAF's Aron Hall

The TBAF's Aron Hall is asking for your help in spreading word about the TBAF's summer camp program, now called "Let's ALL Play".

The Bubel Aiken Foundation is aiming for a goal to set up and/or support 100 summer camps across America in 2008. With Clay's winnings on "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader" and YOUR support, the foundation is on track to turning the dreams of thousands of kids into reality.

Thank you for responding and wanting to get the word out about Let's ALL Play.

Let's start at the beginning:

To find camps in your area, go to www.acacamps.org and click "Find a Camp." You can do a zip code search and see camps within your area. Each camp listed will have some sort of profile. The camps we have worked with so far have been fairly traditional day camps although we would not be opposed to a residential camp wanting to try our program. We are also not limited to working with YMCA camps. Make sure to check

Find the contact person for the camp and make a call or email.

In your initial contact, express that you are a volunteer of TBAF and that we have a fully-developed model program that will help them move to include more children in your community. Clarify that you are not asking for a new camp, but rather you are asking them to supplement their already existing quality program so that they can better serve children with special needs. Finding local stats about disabilities may help them realize the need. Try to set up a time to meet face-to-face or to drop off information.

REMEMBER the word "push" and not "fight." Don't go into this with the mentality that you are going to "fight" anybody to make them inclusive. The reaction way more than not will be avoidance and you will get nowhere. Program directors are extremely busy. Let them know you are there to help and that we are, too. Give them the information that TBAF is willing to come train their staff as part of the grant award. Depending on your willingness, tell them you will help them write up the grant, find volunteers, or anything to help make this process easier. Be passionate, but have contagious passion that makes people want to join you, not obnoxious passion that makes people want to avoid you like the plague.

If you get the opportunity to pass on information, go to our website to gather information. Several helpful pages to visit would be:

• "Who We Are" under About.
• "Let's ALL Play" under Grants & Programs.
• "Grant Guidelines" under Grants & Programs.
• "Grant Process" under Grants & Programs.
• The grant application under Grants & Programs.
• "100 Camps for 2008" under News & Events
• "Camp IMPACT in SC promotes Let's ALL Play" under News & Events
• "Clay Aiken to Expand Camps" under News & Events
  

You can just print this information directly from the web or copy and paste it into your own document.

You being there will be proof that there is community support behind this local initiative. However, if you can under gird that support with other people, companies, or other organizations who may be willing to back it with finances and manpower, your case will be heard much more clearly. If you do WFI, let them know about what that is. Perhaps you can set up a time at their program-if they have year-round ones-in order to familiarize their clientele with inclusion and TBAF.

The grant deadline is October 31, so obviously this is an issue that requires immediate attention.

As you can see, you can make this simple or complicated. The one thing that will sell this more than anything is your "buy-in." Familiarize yourself with the process before you try to communicate it.

I so appreciate your willingness to get out there and make a true difference in your community.

Thank you!

Aron Hall
Director Services