The LET US PLAY! Sports Camp in Jacksonville, Florida

The LET US PLAY! Sports Camp was created to motivate the young girls between the ages of 12- 15 and help them to recognize the benefits that are connected with both sports and education. Throughout participation in the camp, students are encouraged to follow commitment and positive health regimes in sports. Bryan and Leah Barker saw this camp as a vision introduced the idea to the area businesses in Jacksonville and they responded remarkably. Bryan Barker is a 16- year veteran of the National Football League. In 4 months the idea became a reality. One hundred and fifty girls attended the inaugural camp which was held at the University of North Florida in April 1996.

The Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys hosted the LET US PLAY! Sports Camp in 1997 and 1998 also. In 1999 the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and the Oakland Raiders joined in as new members of the program. Every year the United Way agencies recommend over 200 young women that are invited to attend the camp. They spend one day each on playing volleyball, basketball, track and field. The last day is reserved for NFL flag football which is coached by some NFL players and their wives. At the closing ceremony, there is a catered lunch, a highlight video, and a celebrity guest speaker that hands out the medals of completion.

The University provides a life skills team to help evaluate the girls fitness levels. During lunch breaks they have guest speakers who speak on topics of motivation, self esteem and financial aid from the University. The camp is different in that it is run by women. Players wives work together so that they cam make this event very successful. They work along side a lot of volunteers from the United Way, the University of North Florida, as well as other agencies. There is also local and regional press coverage of the events.

The LET US PLAY! Sports Camp in Jacksonville has set up a permanent scholarship endowment at the University of North Florida for the camp graduates. They are also working with the University on a multi -year research project that will follow and document the successes of the young girls who attends the camp.

In Jacksonville, we have set up a permanent scholarship endowment at the University of North Florida for LET US PLAY! camp graduates. We are also working with the University on a multi -year research project which is following and documenting the successes of the young women who have attended the camp.

Source: http://www.letusplay.org/sports_camp.html