Can Play Sports and Adapted Recreation Spring Semester Intern

Can Play was founded in 2020, after the effects of COVID-19 impacted two non- profits Courage League and Opportunity on Deck. Our similar beginnings include our commitment to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable populations. Working together as one, we look forward to expanding our community impact for those who have barriers to play. Courage Programs were inspired by Co-Founder Melissa Clarke-Wharff’s son, Jack, who suffered multiple strokes at age 8 and had to learn to do everything all over again. Jack is an avid sports lover, so creating an adaptive sports program for kids like him and their families is the reason for our mission and vision. Courage Programs were launched in 2013 and today offer programs across Greater Des Moines and Iowa. Founded by Dylan DeClerck, Opportunity on Deck was officially incorporated on March 3, 2014, after beginning in February of 2012. Opportunity is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More specifically, Opportunity is organized for the charitable purpose of providing young students in low-income neighborhoods with opportunities to participate in organized sports.

Your role will have many parts, you will help set up stations and/or games before the beginning of programming/practice. You may also help with registration and other administrative duties. They will assist Can Play staff with instructing and leading participants through the activities. You may also be paired with specific participants to help them through the activities/stations. At the end of practice you will help clean up equipment before you leave. This unpaid internship may be used for school credits!

Opportunity Programs : Please show up a few minutes early ready to help lead our youth in a positive manner! Once you’ve gone through orientation and signed in at the registration desk and received your name badge, you’ll be led into our practice area (field, gym, court, etc.) where our head coaches will bring all the volunteers together to brief them on the practice plan. At this point the coach will likely give you a game, drill, scrimmage or skill development station to lead with another coach, but don’t worry, they will also give you written instructions to follow and will be right there to answer any questions you may have. After you’re done with the first rotation and during the next water break our coach will once again bring together the team to explain the next activity we will do and assign responsibilities to each volunteer. If you ever feel uncomfortable leading part of practice, just let one of our coaches know so they can help you out or pair you up with one of our experienced coaches.

Courage Programs: Structure for programming is usually the same. The participants will get a few minutes of free time before programming starts. Can Play staff or a leader will gather the group together in a circle to begin social stretching. Once stretching is completed, the group usually starts with a couple of group games. Volunteers may be partnered with a specific participant to assist them throughout the game, if not volunteers are encouraged to participate and engage with participants. After group games the participants will be split into small groups to work through stations that have been set up before programming begins. Volunteers will be placed in a group with a Can Play staff member or intern and will not be asked to lead a group, they will be there for assistance. If there is extra time after the stations, there may be another game or activity for the group before programming is over.