Double Up DreamsLive your dreams, Ride Differently

Monthly Double Vol. 1 No. 5

Double Up Dreams teaches and mentors at-risk kids through the

sport of wakeboarding. It believes that by introducing kids into a fun and safe sport, they can invest their time into the sport rather than drugs or alcohol.

Double Up Dreams has held varies different events throughout its first season. The one that had the biggest impact on the kids was when Shawn Watson, a professional wakeboarder, did a surprise appearance at Wake Nation Houston.

As soon as the kids walk through the cable park’s gate, kids are greeted with a mentor and signed into the Double Up Dreams program. After we gathered all of the kids and surprised them with Shawn Watson.

Watson talked to the kids about the importance of staying off the streets and getting involved in a safe hobby. He also did a clinic for the kids and even showed his skills on the cable. Watson was involved with all of the

kids and giving them pointers on how to become a better wakeboarder.

At Wake Nation Houston, Double Up Dreams had positive feedback from the community, Shawn Watson, the kids and parents. Everyone, including ourselves, believe that we can change

the statistic on the number of kids getting involved in drugs and alcohol.

Contents

Making An Impact 1

Message From Our President

2Aaron Smith’s Story

3Volunteering/ Donating

32013 Schedule

4

1

Professional Wakeboarder Makes A Big Impact On Kids

A Message From Our President

Thank you, thank you and thank you! Double Up Dreams first season was a huge success and would not have happened if it were not for Liquid Force, Texas Ski Ranch, Wake Nation Houston, Cowtown Wake Park, KC Water Sports, the volunteers, donors and the Double Up Dreams team.

The Second Chances events held across the United States helped over 10,000 at-risk kids; we raised $180,000

toward the Double Up Dreams organization that funded at-risk kids with a wakeboard-mentoring program.

It truly warmed my heart when I went to these events and saw the smiles and friendships being made. Double Up Dreams is truly making a positive impact on these kids.

Kids across America are getting involved in drugs and alcohol because they do not have a proper after

school program. Double Up Dreams has decided to take a different spin at after school programs. Double Up Dreams is a wakeboard-mentoring program. It is an organization that provides a place for at-risk kids to go rather than have them on the street.

The goals for our organization are have a positive influence on kid’s lives, be a second family, point them in the right direction and show them the joy of wakeboarding.

I am ecstatic to see what will happen in the future for Double Up Dreams. There are big ideas and things happening here at headquarters; we cannot wait to share them with you! Lets make history for the 2013 season!

Keep Shredding!

Sarah Powers

2

For additional comments, questions or concerns contact Sarah Powers,

Communications Director, at sarah@doubleupdreams.com

or 405-623-4553.

In a back ally on the streets of downtown Houston, a 15-year-old boy is deciding which drug he wants to get high on. He knows doing drugs is taking him down the wrong road, but he looks around and no one is there to help him. Aaron Smith, the15-year-old boy, struggled daily for many years because he did not have a place to go. Many underprivileged kids and teens fall for drugs and alcohol because they do not have an after school activity or mentor program. “Twenty percent of teens in 2011 had taken prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during their life,” according to the Centers for Disease Control. Double Up Dreams is a wakeboarding-mentoring program that helps kids and teens get on the right track. This organization gives kids and teens a place to go, a place to reflect and gets them involved in a hobby. Alex Brewer, Double Up Dreams’ event director, describes what happens as soon as the kids arrive. “We try and make the kids feel welcome and a part of the Double Up Dreams family as soon as they walk into the Cable Park’s gate,” Brewer said. “We hope this event will bring light into underprivileged kids lives so that they can see the full potential they have.” Last week, Double Up Dreams had its first event at Wake Nation Houston Cable Park. Aaron heard about

the event through a local radio station and decided to take a chance. Aaron bonded quickly with his mentor and the kids who joined Double Up Dreams. He believes that Double Up Dreams will make an impact on his life and other teens that join the program. “I am pumped to come back to Wake Nation Cable Park,” Aaron said. “I cannot wait to chill with my mentor, have him help me become better at boarding and just hang out with everyone here.” The turnout for the event was one of the biggest

crowds at Wake Nation Houston Cable Park. The community has embraced Double Up Dreams with open arms because it can see the positive light it is having on kids. The reaction of the kids that did attend the event was a positive one. Double Up Dreams believes that it can continue this trend across the nation and eventually decrease the number of kids and teens involved in drugs and alcohol.

Aaron is no longer roaming the streets of downtown Houston and wondering if he will go anywhere in life. Double Up Dreams gave him a support group, hope and a passion he can pass down to future generations. To get involved with Double Up Dreams, visit the website at www.doubleupdreams.com or call Alex Brewer at (405) 555-1234.

“Twenty percent of teens in 2011 had taken prescription

drugs without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during their life.”

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At Double Up Dreams, volunteers and donations are the backbone of our organization. Both volunteers and donations help Double Up Dreams fulfill our dreams of helping at-risk kids.

Typical days for a volunteer depends on were we place them based on their qualifications. If the volunteer has wakeboarding experience, we would most likely have them working the events or teaching kids. If a volunteer has nonprofit office experience, we would have them help us out at headquarters raising money or planning events.

Donations go toward providing at-risk kids with a free pass to ride at selected cable parks, a wakeboard, safety equipment and a mentor. Anyone can donate to Double Up Dreams, businesses or individual people.

If you would like to volunteer or donate call Jane Smith at 405-623-4553 or visit www.doubleupdreams.com and click on the volunteer tab.

Aaron Smith’s Story

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2013 Double Up Dreams Schedule

May 18th - 19th Season Opener at Wake Nation Houston 25th - 26th* June 1st - 2nd* 8th – 9th* 15th – 16th* 22nd – 23rd* 29th – 30th* July 6th- 7th* 13th – 14th* 20th – 21st* 27th- 28th* August 3rd – 4th* 10th – 11th* 17th – 18th* 24th- 25th* 31st- 1st* September 7th- 8th* 14th – 15th* 21st - 22nd End of the Year Party at KC Water Sports

Texas Ski Ranch Wake Nation Houston Cowtown Wake Park

KC Water Sports

For more information on location, how to enroll and times visit www.doubleupdreams.com

*All Locations Are Open!