Scholarships offered for playground education

Photo courtesy of KaBOOM!

Kiwanians know the importance of playgrounds in a child’s life. In fact, playground building is a favorite Kiwanis-family community-service project. And now, Kiwanians can get all the training and help they need to promote play and playscapes in their communities.

KaBOOM!, a Kiwanis Priority One partner, invites Kiwanians to its University of Play (U Play!), a two-and-one-half day training session in Chicago that provides resources and tools to turn a community’s dream into reality. Session attendees will, among other things: meet others who share the same passion; attend workshops on playscape and community building; meet with top equipment and safety surfacing vendors; learn about fundraising, design, and motivating volunteers; and participate in a hands-on KaBOOM! playground Build Day.

KaBOOM! also offers 25 Kiwanians the chance to win U Play! training scholarships. Kiwanis International staff will work with KaBOOM! to review and award the scholarships to Kiwanians who currently are working on or interested in learning more about community-build playscape projects, which can include playgrounds, ice rinks, fields, and skate parks.

The scholarship will include registration fee as well as a scholarship check in the amount of US$500, which should help offset the cost of travel to the training session.

“Kiwanians have made significant contributions to the lives of children all around the world by building and maintaining playgrounds in their communities,” says Dennis Reynolds, KaBOOM! vice-president for online and community programs. “Because limited travel budgets often can put a pinch on participation in training opportunities, KaBOOM! is thrilled to support the amazing work Kiwanians continue to do in the area of community playspaces by collaborating with Kiwanis to offer U Play! Training Scholarships.”