The University of Florida football team was one of five UF athletic teams to participate in the award-winning CAMP Gator program. The program was awarded the 2009 Gainesville Work of Heart Award for the Collegiate Volunteer Group.
The Gainesville Work of Heart Awards are given annually to honor devoted volunteers for outstanding service in Alachua County.
CAMP (Collegiate Achievement Mentoring Program) Gator is an innovative mentoring and leadership program that partners students from P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School and the University of Florida, giving them the opportunity to learn, grow and lead together. The program is headed up by Director Matt Ohlson and Associate Director Dr. Russell Froman.
“In my fourteen years in education, I have never seen a program with such an immediate influence upon the academic and social well-being of children,” said Ohlson. “The commitment and effort displayed by the UF student mentors was the catalyst for the change in the lives of the children they mentored. Through the leadership mentor's guidance, these children began to realize the importance of setting goals, of striving for excellence and of bringing out the best in others.”
Members of the UF football, soccer, softball, swimming and track teams participated in CAMP Gator over the past year. The impact on the children in the program is profound, as the school recorded a 13 percent increase in participants’ grade point averages, and a 72 percent decrease in suspensions.
“These student-athletes served as role models to the student mentees as well as their collegiate student peers,” said Ohlson. “Their commitment to the program and mentees has been exceptional.”
This is the 37th year for the Work of Heart Awards. Awards are given out for individuals in nine categories and groups/organizations in five categories. CAMP Gator received the award for the Collegiate Group.
