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](http://www.raidersforkids.com/)
The Oakland Raiders are proud to announce the launch of an updated and improved Kids Zone on raiders.com. The revamped section of the team's official web site, www.raiders.com, includes educational and interactive features, downloads and more for young Raider fans. The section is accessible at http://www.raidersforkids.com/, and via links in the raiders.com "Fans" section.
"We are delighted to announce that we have added new and exciting interactive and educational opportunities to our raiders.com Kids Zone," said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask. "We have a tremendous number of young fans who are very important to us and we will continue to upgrade our raiders.com Kids Zone to better serve them."
The Kids Zone section features a dynamic landing page with Flash introduction, including audio of both The Autumn Wind and the Raiders Theme. Also added to the new section are four exciting video games and new coloring pages for download and print.
The raiders.com Kids Zone continues to feature the latest Raiders news and information for kids and parents, including sign up and registration information for the 10th Annual Youth Skills Camp in June. The section also includes links to NFL Flag Football and Punt, Pass and Kick resources and Kids Club purchase information.
The Kids Zone will add word puzzles, contests, youth program sign up information, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Raider Rookie Zone information and youth-related photo galleries and videos in the coming weeks and months.
The Raiders' ever expanding programs associated with the organization's commitment to youth and family initiatives are listed on the team's website under www.raidersforkids.com. Programs for youngsters administered by the Raiders include:
NFL Play 60: In recognition of NFL PLAY 60, The Oakland Raiders hosted a group of local children on-field for player introductions and the National Anthem at a game last season. Students from Oakland's Burckhalter Elementary School were selected for their commitment to the Raiders Junior Training Camp program and wore special PLAY 60 jerseys on game day. To support NFL PLAY 60, all Thanksgiving weekend games focused on raising awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic and showcasing the NFL and its clubs' commitment to help reverse this trend.
Grants Assist Local Parks: A local park received a grant for improvements courtesy of the Raiders and NFL Charities. Josie De La Cruz Park, located in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, received improvements and upgrades thanks in part to a $35,000 Youth Fitness Zone Program Grant from NFL Charities. The Youth Fitness Zone Grant, awarded by the Oakland Raiders and NFL Charities, is part of the NFL's commitment to health and fitness. Since its inception, NFL Charities has granted more than $120 million to more than 642 different organizations. The improvement project includes the addition of a new basketball court, lighting for increased security, seating areas for families, and a new entry to make the park more inviting. The communities surrounding the park have been longing for renovation to their park and specifically improving amenities for children's use. By improving the park, the neighborhood benefits from added recreational opportunities that promote physical and social well-being and help build a stronger community as a result.
Raiders Grant Used to Install Artificial Turf at Park in Richmond: the Richmond Children's Foundation and its partners the City of Richmond and the Association of Sports Field Users received a $200,000 grant as part of the National Football League Grassroots Program. The grant, awarded by the Raiders, the NFL Youth Football Fund, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), is part of the NFL Grassroots Program awards. It is being used to install artificial turf at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park football field. This new football field is at the heart of the Nystrom United Revitalization Effort (NURVE), a community effort to revitalize the Nystrom neighborhood. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center and Park is the primary community facility that serves numerous youth in this area. The football field links two adjacent schools and will serve as the centerpiece of the neighborhood.
Oakland Field, San Leandro Park Get Refurbishments Courtesy of Raiders Grant: The Oakland Raiders and the NFL also have been involved with the award of* *$140,000 in grants toward youth field refurbishments in the East Bay. Willie Wilkins Park and Ernie Raimondi Field in Oakland as well as San Leandro's Burrell Field are benefitting from the Silver and Black's community involvement. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the initial phase of upgrades at Willie Wilkins Park took place in January. The park is located in Oakland's Elmhurst neighborhood. The park is receiving improvements thanks in part to the $40,000 Youth Fitness Zone Program Grant from The Oakland Raiders and NFL Charities.
Oakland Field Gets new Bleachers Thanks to Raiders Grant: The football field at Oakland's Ernie Raimondi Field got new bleachers thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program. The grant, awarded by the Oakland Raiders, the NFL Youth Football Fund, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), was part of $5.43 million in field refurbishment awards allocated to community groups in areas surrounding the 32 NFL markets.
Fuel Up Like A Pro: Raiders running back Darren McFadden recently participated in a school assembly honoring the students of Cordelia Hills Elementary School's participation in the "Fuel Up Like a Pro" program. The Oakland Raiders, in conjunction with the National Dairy Council and Dairy Council of California, launched the program last spring. The program, FUEL UP LIKE A PRO, is an initiative to encourage exercise and well-balanced eating among children. The program was open to all elementary and middle school students, grades K-8 in the Bay Area. Participating students received a fitness card to track their daily exercise and a nutrition poster featuring the food pyramid and sample meals and/or recipes of McFadden. Students tracked the amount (in minutes) of their physical activity each day, aiming for a goal of 60 minutes. At the conclusion of the four-week program, student returned their fitness cards along with their favorite healthy recipe for the opportunity to win Raiders tickets and merchandise.
Anti-Steroid and Exercise Education Program: The Oakland Raiders partnered with local high schools to implement the NFL ATLAS & ATHENA Schools Program, a nationally-acclaimed initiative designed to promote healthy living and reduce the use of steroids and other drugs among high school athletes. Two Vacaville high schools, Will C. Wood and Vacaville High School, and San Jose's Tennyson High School, McClymonds Educational Complex and Skyline High School completed the program sessions during the 2008-09 school year. The schools were chosen based on interviews with program administrators and school-wide commitment from the principal, athletic director and coaches. This local opportunity was created as a result of a $2.8 million grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The Oakland Raiders, NFL owners and the NFL Players Association all contribute to the NFL Youth Football Fund. The NFL grant is one of a series of improvements to the NFL and NFL Players Association's policy and program on anabolic steroids and related substances. The ATLAS & ATHENA programs focus on nutrition and exercise as alternatives to drug use. The ATLAS program targets adolescent male athletes' use of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, alcohol and other drugs and use of sport supplements, while improving healthy nutrition and exercise practices. ATHENA is designed to reduce disordered eating and use of body shaping and other drugs among young women, while promoting healthy nutrition and exercise.
The Raider Rookie Zone: The interactive area for kids at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, where young fans are able to participate in a variety of family focused activities during the season beginning two hours before kickoff. Kids of all ages can jump in a Raider inflatable bounce house, throw a touchdown pass or kick a field goal, or solve puzzles and color while sitting at child-sized picnic tables. Community sponsors of the Raider Rookie Zone include Chabot Space & Science Center, and The Oakland Zoo. These community sponsors are present throughout the Raider Rookie Zone and each offers a unique learning experience to young fans.
Youth Skills Camp: The camp is designed to encourage boys and girls, ages 8-14, to participate in and enjoy the game of football. The camp is organized and structured to provide every participant, regardless of skill level, with the same top-notch instruction by Raiders players and coaches, along with Bay Area high school and college coaches. This summer's camp will be held June 12-13, 2010.
Punt, Pass & Kick Program: The program has given many current NFL stars a beginning to their football careers. With more than four million girls and boys from around the country taking part in the competition every year from July through January, it is one of the world's largest youth sports participation programs. Girls and boys, ages 8-15, compete against each other in punting, passing and place kicking in four separate age divisions (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15).
Flag Football: The National Football League has official youth leagues for kids 6-14 years old. This program gives boys and girls the opportunity to play in an organized non-contact football league and the chance to compete in the NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments around the country in October. Winners from the tournaments advance to the NFL FLAG National Tournament of Champions at DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS ® Complex in November.
The Junior Raiderettes: The program is open to young people of all ability levels, between the ages of 7 – 15, and provides fun and motivational challenges where youngsters can strengthen their talents, abilities and confidence in a non-competitive environment.
High School Coach of the Week:The Oakland Raiders High School "Coach of the Week" program promotes high school football by giving high school coaches and teams the recognition that they deserve. Designed to honor coaches who have created successful programs for teams and players, both on and off of the playing field, the "Coach of the Week" program provides teams with financial assistance to maintain their football programs. During each week of the high school season, The Oakland Raiders select one high school coach as the "Coach of the Week" winner, and a High School Coach of the Year at the end of the season.
Gatorade Junior Training Camp Program: The program is available to elementary schools, recreation centers, and other non-profit organizations for clinics. A Junior Training Camp features the educational and recreational benefits of football presented in a safe and fun environment. The camp's curriculum is very safe, and was developed by Gatorade so that any student can participate – regardless of age, gender, ability, or experience.
