How to Run a Free Summer Youth Activity Program Bonnie Tjeerdsma Blankenship Holly Pierce William Harper Purdue University

The Need Rising/high obesity levels in children Children gain BMI twice as fast during summer as during school year (Downey & Boughton, 2007) Some evidence low SES children have lower PA levels than high SES children (e.g., Biddle et al., 2005; Macdonald et al., 2004)

Free Camps at Purdue University

Purdue Athletes Life Success Program (PALS) Formerly National Youth Sport Program 300 boys & girls, ages Income requirements Day program 20 week days, 8 am-2 pm Physical activities & other activities

Operation Purple Week-long, residential camp Children with parent/s in military and deployed 50 boys & girls ages Outdoor activities Purposes: provide fun week, help children deal with stresses of parental deployment “Kids Serve Too” Co-sponsored by the Military Family Research Institute

Elements of Successful Programs

Funding PALS –Brees Dream Foundation/PEFCU –Schuemann Family Foundation Operation Purple –National Military Family Association grant –MFRI

Possible Funding Sources Funding distinctions Local gifts Local partnerships Local medical personnel/facilities Local college/university in-kind support Local volunteers/family help

Possible Funding Sources State level grants National level grants Foundation grants

Funds Needed (Budget) Facilities/equipment? Housing? Meals? Transportation? Activity fees? Staff salaries? Insurance Marketing/Publicity

Leaders - Characteristics Dedicated Creative Organized Energetic

Leader Roles Camp Administrator Activities Director Staff Supervisor Facilities/equipment supervisor

Staff - Characteristics Dedicated Enthusiastic Easy-going Organized Flexible Reliable Mature CPR/First Aid certified

Staff - Roles Instructors Counselors/Team Leaders Medical Disciplinarians Service Learning Equipment/water

Staff – Hiring & Management Advertising for positions Application forms Interviews Background checks Staff training Staff handbook Time sheets Staff meetings

Participants – Who? Decision based on your experiences, funding, needs Income requirements Military children Special needs children Age, gender, special interests

Participants - Marketing How advertise camp/reach target population? Agencies (schools, churches, YM/WCAs, social agencies, etc.) Brochures, bulletin boards, newspaper ads, verbal announcements, letters

Participants – Obtaining & Management Registration Forms Medicals/physical exams Permission forms Behavior contracts Structure during camp

Activities Decision based on: –Participant needs –Local resources –Available expertise –Space –Equipment

Scheduling When to have camp? How many days/weeks? How long per day? How to schedule activities? Special activities? Example Schedules –Operation PurpleOperation Purple –PALSPALS

Risk Management Liability insurance Medical insurance/procedures Emergency procedures (e.g., injuries, weather, child abduction) Parent/Guardian Pick up Procedure CPR/First aid requirement of staff Background checks Examination of procedures/forms by Risk Management

Publicity Newspapers Television University/college publicity Website Operation Purple at Purdue Website PALS Website

Outcome Documentation/Camp Evaluation Why? Funding sources want results!!! What? PA levels, attitudes, preferences, dispositions, knowledge, motor skills From whom? Children, parents, staff, teachersChildrenstaff How? Self-report, observation, objective means When? Beginning/end of camp, after camp

Lessons Learned…. Be flexible!!!! Be organized!!!! Learn from mistakes!!!!