Mission
The Purdue athletics department defines “the goal for these student-athletes is to not only achieve athletic success, but to also become a holistic individual defined by more than wins and losses. We want to make sure that they are good people and doing community service definitely helps with that aspect. We want them to get the experience of giving and providing for someone else”.
Initiatives
Purdue Athletes Life Success Program – PALS is a free summer camp for 400 children ages 8-14 whose family incomes are at or below federal poverty guidelines. The camp is structured around four character pillars: respect, responsibility, caring, and courage. Curriculum activities include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), computer programming, financial literacy, dance, art, videography, photography, judo, nutrition, swimming, career development, service learning, and select special events. Campers receive breakfast and lunch and are bused from 2 locations by Lafayette School Corporation.
Boiler Kids Camp – An interactive, educational day camp designed for children ages 5 to 12 – held each summer. In a safe and enjoyable environment, children participate in a wide range of activities including rock climbing, swimming, arts, crafts and so much more.
Other Student-Athlete Community Service
The athletics department has a goal of 3,000 combined hours between all the student-athletes/teams. These are some examples of their efforts:
- One athlete spent the afternoon walking dogs at a rescue shelter, while a few days later members of the baseball team visited a children’s hospital to play games with patients.
- Several teams have participated in “The Challenge 5K” benefitting the Center for Cancer Research at Purdue; while student-athletes have made numerous visits to local elementary schools to read stories or discuss sportsmanship and professionalism.
- A group of athletes from multiple sports have participated for the past two years in the weekly program “Mentor Monday” at the Northend Community Center. The athlete-driven program provides mentoring to youth in the Lafayette area, with many regular participants.
- Purdue women’s basketball player Léony Boudreau helped organize the Wheel Rise event last September, created to raise awareness for paralympic sports and empower others to reach their full potential.
- 4-H Youth Development – 4-H began over 100 years ago and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties as delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program.
