Think Detroit PAL
Think Detroit PAL is a nonprofit organization that organizes youth football, basketball, baseball, track, soccer and many other recreational sport leagues around the city of Detroit, MI. Each sport league lasts for 8-12 weeks for kids ages 7-14. Each year PAL hosts an annual football league championship at Ford Field where over 6,000 PAL spectators and supporters come to watch games and participate in the festivities. Think Detroit PAL allows inner city youth to participate in summer, winter, spring or fall activities and programs to help kids build character and get kids very ACTIVE and social at a young age. Not only does PAL offer seasonal sports programs, they also offer tutorial programs, leadership camps, and recreation centers.
History
Think Detroit PAL was formed on March 1 2006 with the merging of the Think Detroit Inc. organization and the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL). The purpose of this merger between the two leading youth Organizations in the city of Detroit was designed to accomplish the goal of "serving more kids through better programs.
Registration
Registration for one of Think Detroit's Pal Athletic programs includes a copy of your child's original birth certificate along with an updated medical physical signed by an certified doctor. Along with the proper documentation there is a fee of $150 - $250 depending on the various program your child has selected. Upon presentation of proper documentation and fees Pal will provide all the necessary uniforms and equipment necessary for your child to participate in the specific program of he/her choice.
Volunteer
Because Think Detroit PAL is a nonprofit organization it cannot afford to hire coaches for all the teams it supports, so the continuation of The Pal organization relies on the many volunteers that dedicate their self to coach or participate in PAL's programs. Each volunteer coach must participate in the IMPACT coaches training program. Volunteer coaches must also learn all the rules and guidelines of the sport they are volunteering to coach and be able to pass a criminal background check to ensure a safe environment around the children.
Events
Think Detroit hosts a Football League championship at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. Not only does PAL host chmpionship games for the seasonal sports, they also host the annual Cheer Battle Royale, where all the teams cheerleaders battle it out to see which team has the best cheerleader. The best cheerleading team get a trip to florida and bragging rights for the year. PAL also participates in the North American International Auto Show Charity PREview at Cobo Hall. PAL hosts the annual Paul W. Smith Charity Golf Classis and the Detroit Free Press/ Flagstar Bank Marathon.