Between June and August, the Greater Princeton & Far Beyond Branch of AYLUS (GPA) supported the Best Day Foundation at the Great Lawn Beach, Long Branch & Brick Beach III Seneca Dunes, Mantoloking, New Jersey.
Best Day Foundation is a volunteer organization that helps children and young adults with special needs build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure experiences. It partners other children with a buddy and guides them through a great day of challenging activities such as surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, and snow sports.
GPA volunteers joined Best Day in creating special days for children with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, blindness, cancer, spinal cord injuries, and other physical and developmental challenges. There are the following activities depending on conditions:
Tandem surfing
Bodyboarding
Stand up Paddling (SUP)
Kayaking
Beach Obstacle Course
Fun Beach Games
We provide all the gear needed for a fun safe day at the beach. You only need to bring your personal items such as a towel, change of clothes, etc.
Wrap the day up with a fun filled celebration of all the successes with our award ceremony where each participant receives a Best Day team surfer medal.
Schedule:
7:30 a.m. Volunteers check in and venue set up
8:30 a.m. Volunteer meetings and training.
9:00 a.m. Participants check-in opens and are matched with their volunteer Beach Buddy.
9:30 a.m. Volunteers & Participants gather together on the beach for welcome and warm up exercises.
9:45 a.m. Beach Activities Begin!
12:00 p.m. Group lunch for everyone
12:45 p.m. Awards ceremony & group photo
1:00 p.m. Participants are free to leave.
1:00 p.m. Volunteers are required to take down, clean up and pack up
2:00 p.m. Once we are packed up everyone is free to leave
GPA Volunteers at the Beach (6/30, 6 hrs for all): Michelle Jin, Keefer Kohli, Laetitia Huang, Ryan Li, Ethan Chen, Jasmine Li, Michael Wu, Laura Wu, Gloria Wang, Zichen Ling, Lean Zong, Kevin He, Jennie Han, Henderson Han, Jerry Zong, Brian Chen, Terence Chen, Kayson Qian, Brayden Jiang, Allen Zheng, Richard Da (5 hrs), Owen Lin, Jacob Lin, Ben Zhou, Ethan Zhou, Allen Ma, Jeffrey Huang
