B.O.O.T. - Basketball Officials of Tomorrow Hoops Holiday of Hope
Basketball Officials of Tomorrow is a mentoring program for youth ages 13-17 who have the dream or aspiration to become a basketball official. This program will also be used as a valuable tool to educate participants on developing important physical fitness and nutrition habits; on developing sportsmanship and teamwork; the importance of time management and developing a professional rapport on the court. B.O.O.T. participants will have the opportunity to attend a beginning officiating clinic to learn the basics of officiating; floor coverage; handling conflict; proper physical fitness required to be an official; developing rapport with coaches and other game management staff; and the importance of budgeting and record keeping. The B.O.O.T. will attend a two hour free clinic every other weekend during the program. In addition to the free clinics the B.O.O.T. will have several opportunities to shadow a certified official during a middle school or youth basketball game. The B.O.O.T. will also receive a free copy of the officials' rule book and handbook. Each B.O.O.T. will also receive a complete uniform including black shorts, black & white striped shirt, tennis shoes and a whistle. Hoops-4-Kids, Inc. works with high school guidance counselors to promote participation in the program. We also partner with career day and job fairs to encourage youth to consider basketball officiating as a possible career option as employment. This program will be very influential in promoting employment and self-reliance to underprivileged and at risk youth; as well as promoting the importance of physical conditioning to youth battling or at risk for obesity.
Hoops-4-Health
Fitness and nutrition clinics and seminars. These clinics and seminars will be free for youth ages 7-15 and their parents or guardians. These clinics and seminars will be held once per month. These clinics and seminars will be conducted by certified personal trainers and nutrition experts who emphasize and demonstrate ways to improve over all health through proper eating habits and age appropriate exercise. Parents will learn to shop for healthier foods on a budget and how to make healthier choices when eating out. The kids participating will also receive information on how to eat healthier at school and better utilize physical education (PE) classes. All participants will receive important information and hand outs about the health risks of smoking, drug use and the dangers of steroid use in sports.
This program will enable youth and families in need to have a holiday experience that they would otherwise not be able to enjoy. Hoops-4-Kids, Inc. will select several families from the middle Tennessee area as well as five angels from the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. These families will be selected based on financial need and/or recent family hardships. Hoops-4-Kids, Inc. staff and volunteers will shop for each family member based on the family's information and Christmas wish lists. Each family will receive a Christmas tree, decorations, a complete Christmas meal and at least two gifts per family member. The gifts will be based on a "need" item (shoes, clothes, coat, etc.) and a "want" item (toys, etc.). More families will be included in this program as donations and funding increase.
Hoops Back To School Extravaganza
This program creates an enthusiastic and motivational celebration for school aged children and their families. This celebration will be held at the beginning of August, just prior to the start of the school year. Hoops-4-Kids, Inc. will provide an opportunity for over 200 students to receive a back pack filled with school supplies for the new school year. The celebration will included free food, games, a guest speaker and entertainment. More students will receive these school supplies as the program expands.
Two times per year Hoops-4-Kids, Inc. conducts a basketball fantasy camp for adults ages 21 and up. This camp will provide the opportunity for adults to experience a basketball camp atmosphere while having fun. Each camp will feature guest speakers and the appearance of a professional WNBA player. This camp will be held over a two day period and will include skills instruction; game competition; a camp t-shirt; a WNBA basketball; autographs; a photograph with the WNBA player; and a camp dinner with the entire staff & WNBA player. This program will be used as a fund raising opportunity for Hoops-4-Kids, Inc. All monies raised will help fund our free programs.