HOW TO JOIN THE FUN!

 

HOW TO JOIN THE FUN AS AN ATHLETE . . .


Ages

All children ages 5 or older and adults with Down syndrome are welcome to participate in Buddy Up Tennis as an “Athlete”, regardless of ability or prior tennis experience.


Sign-Up

  1. •Signing-up is easy, there is no commitment, and, most of all, you and your son or daughter will have a great time!

  2. •Click on the “Schedule” link above to see when and where we meet next.

  3. •Decide when, where, and how often you want to attend.

  4. •Please be sure to let us know by Thursday night of each week if you plan to attend that week by e-mailing us at buddyuptennis@gmail.com or you can call Beth Gibson at 614-579-8808.

  5. •Join us at one of the following locations: (1) in the Columbus area, at Wickertree Tennis & Fitness Club, (2) in the Cincinnati area, at the Club at Harper’s Point, and (3) in the Pittsburgh area, at The Club Fitness and Sport.

  6. •If you need directions, click on the “Locations” link above.


Cost & Scholarships

  1. •$15.00 per individual session.

  2. •$40.00 per calendar month (regardless the number of scheduled/actual calendar month sessions).

  3. •For Columbus, Ohio area Athletes, scholarships from the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) for $200 per year are available upon application.  Please contact Marge Barnheiser at DSACO at 614-263-6020 or mbarnheiser@dsaco.net for more information.

  4. •For Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Columbus area Athletes, scholarships from the Buddy Up Tennis, Inc. are available upon application.  Please contact Beth Gibson at 614-579-8808 or buddyuptennis@gmail.com for more information.


Questions

If you have any questions, please contact us at buddyuptennis@gmail.com or call Beth Gibson at 614-579-8808.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER AS A BUDDY . . .


Do you like to encourage, empower others, and engage in activities with individuals?  Buddy Up Tennis is constantly searching for individuals who want to make a positive personal impact while serving as a great role model to the our Athletes.


Buddy Up Tennis is grateful to have many individuals who volunteer their time to Buddy Up Tennis.  We call these volunteers, "Buddies"  Buddies are the nucleus of our program and one of the primary reasons we have been so successful in helping individuals with Down syndrome. 


We are always looking for more volunteer Buddies in the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh greater metropolitan areas.  No tennis skills are required.  The most important  qualities are a positive attitude, willingness to help, and being ready for a fun and rewarding experience!


Each individual with Down syndrome who participates in Buddy Up Tennis (our Athletes) is partnered with a Buddy who provides encouragement, coaching, and support throughout our near weekly tennis and fitness clinics.  The Buddies range from siblings and friends of the Athletes, middle school, high school, and college students, and a wide range of adults with a variety of professional backgrounds.  Buddies participate on a regular basis, as they also have fun building and fostering new relationships with our Athletes while, at the same time, gaining a unique and rewarding perspective on life.  Here is what one of our Buddies had to say about his experience:


Every Saturday morning, my life is changes for the better because of Buddy Up.  The smiles, willingness, and determination to accomplish things and the unmistakable love for life shared by these Athletes (with Down syndrome) reminds us that we ALL are important an that we ALL should try our hardest and smile everyday!


Question / To Sign Up

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Buddy or want to sign up, please contact us at buddyuptennis@gmail.com or call Beth Gibson at 614-579-8808.