Over 400 Inner City Kids participated in Kids & Pros Camp Equip last week at Grady High School. The Kids & Pros Camp EQUIP, a camp for inner city youth ages 7-13 from Atlanta area Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and other local youth organizations, was created by former Atlanta Falcons, Buddy Curry and Bobby Butler, in conjunction with the Kids & Pros 501c3 Organization. The free Youth Football and Basketball camps conducted, June 16th – 19th from 10AM – 3PM, concluded on Thursday, June 19th with a super bowl game between the campers, an awards ceremony, and a festival from noon – 1pm to promote healthy and positive lifestyle options to campers and their parents. The 2014 Camp EQUIP was run by former Atlanta Falcons Buddy Curry and Bobby Butler, and their Atlanta Kids & Pros team. Curry, a USA Football Master Trainer, travels the East Coast teaching players and coaches safe tackling techniques from USA Football’s “Heads Up Football” program, as part of the NFL / USA Football initiative to create a better, safer game. The safe, non-contact football instruction teaches campers the right way to play and how to avoid injuries. Camp EQUIP instructors included: Bobby Butler (Atlanta Falcons Cornerback 1981-1992), Buddy Curry (Atlanta Falcons Linebacker 1980-1987), Floyd Hodge (Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver 1982-1984), Robert Moore (Atlanta Falcons Safety 1986-1989), Stephon Adams (Oakland Raiders DB 1986-89, Cleveland/Miami), Evan Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles DB 1984-87, Falcons 88-89), Robert Hicks (Buffalo Bills Tackle 1998-2000), Ken Oxendine (Atlanta Falcons 1998-1999) and others. WNBA/ Atlanta Dream Star, Shoni Schimmel, made a special appearance at the camp on Tuesday, June 17th to address campers on the Kids & Pros’ “GameChangers,” like good sportsmanship, teamwork and excellence, and then broke off with the girls section of the camp to run drills with the young ladies. Thursday’s festival for the Atlanta community focused on promoting positive and healthy lifestyle choices, and featured the following vendors: Atlanta Contact Point, Atlanta Hawks, Borden Dairy, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Dole, Georgia Dept of Public Health (GA SHAPE), Gwinnett Medical Center/Gwinnett Concussion Institute, Institute for America’s Health (USDA -my plate), Mondelez International, Sodexo USA, Southeastern Dairy Association (SUDIA), Fuel Up to Play 60, and Whiteford, Inc. Each of the vendors provided information on positive and healthy lifestyle choices including nutrition, environment, social issues, health, and more. Atlanta Falcon’s Mascot, Freddie Falcon and Atlanta Hawk’s Mascot, Harry The Hawk, both made a special appearance at the camp in celebration and support of a healthy lifestyle. Kids & Pros would like to thank the following sponsors for their support and participation at this year’s camps: Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, NFL Players Association, Aaron’s, Carter USA, Scott Taylor, The Kroger Foundation, NFL Foundation, Peachtree Communities, Dole, Eagle Rock Distributors, UBS- Chad Boles & Andy Murphy, Smith Family Charities, Greg & Karen Hardwick, Steve & Laura Taylor, Bill & Lois Carkhuff, and Sam’s Club Buford. Kids & Pros, Inc. is a non-profit organization, started in 2002 by former Atlanta Falcons Bobby Butler and Buddy Curry in order to teach character and skills through athletics. Through its unique football experience and combination of athletics and wellness education, the organization now provides weekly youth football camps, clinics and football safety training across the Southeast. Kids & Pros is an official LICENSED PARTNER OF HEADS UP FOOTBALLSM For more information on Kids & Pros, Inc., please log onto our website at www.kidsandpros.com , follow us on twitter @kidsandpros, or connect with us on Facebook at Kids & Pros, Inc.
