Youth athletes play in the same stadium as the Atlanta Braves. Play and be treated just like a professional athlete at the Disney World ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Before my trip to Walt Disney World, I knew with my head that traveling to a sports destination was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a young athlete but now, after seeing the Disney Sports Festival, I know it with my heart. I wrote about The Top Five Reasons to Take Your Kids To the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in an earlier post. Part of my recent media tour of the complex was meeting with a professional fundraiser. He shared his tips with me about how to make it possible for a team of youth athletes to travel to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex a reality. With more than 25 years experience in the the field of fundraising, Pete Bryden, founder of Making A Difference Fundraising, knows the ins and outs of financing sports travel. When you choose Walt Disney World for your team’s destination, you will have someone to help you and guide through the fundraising jungle. There are many ways that Disney helps the Team Mom when she arrives in Orlando and during her stay, but they also have resources for you to use before you arrive to make your job easier.
Team Moms at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Pete Bryden, of Making a Difference Fundraising, shared these tips for successful sports fundraising:
1. Start Early. It’s best if you have at least a year to plan and raise the money for your trip. Many teams start raising money immediately after one trip for their next one. When you have flexibility with timing, you can schedule several activities that coordinate with events at your school or in your community. If you don’t raise as much money as planned with early efforts, you have time to adjust your strategy. By scheduling fundraisers strategically, you can avoid competing with other groups.
2. Keep It Fun. Have fun! With the right approach to fundraising, it can be a team-building experience for your kids. They will be working together for a common goal. Remember that you are already creating memories of the trip, it starts with the planning not just with when you arrive at Disney World. Any efforts will be more successful if everyone is enjoying themselves.
3. All Hand On Deck.  Throw gender roles out the window, when it comes to fundraising, everyone needs to pitch in. You may find that both parents are willing to do anything to support their children’s dreams of playing at Disney World and being treated like a professional athlete.  Moms. Dads. Grandparents. Coaches. Anyone and everyone you can enlist for help will get you to your goals faster.  Oh and speaking of goals…
4. Set Goals.  There will always be a basic level of financing that you need for your team to make the trip. Anything above and beyond that will add enhancements and additional experiences to your trip. Work with the planners at Disney to determine what your minimum is, and then what enhancements you would love to add. Make your goals specific, measurable and then share them with everyone on your team so you will be working toward common the same end zone. Everyone should know the goals, the schedule, and the results.
5. Stay True.  When you are deciding what products to sell, what activities to participate in, stay true to your team and your sport. When you believe in what you are doing you will be more successful.
Playing at a venue like Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is an investment in their college and professional sports careers.
If you are considering a trip to Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for your team, more fundraising information is available at their website, http://espnwwos.disney.go.com or contact the Disney Sports team with any questions or comments. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST. A fundraising information resource that Pete mentioned is the AFRDS, Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers. Their website is www.AFRDS.org and Pete Bryden’s Making A Difference Fundraising is http://www.MakingADifferenceFundraising.com.
The “hidden Mickey” on the back of my van!
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To read more about my trip, this is the second in a series of posts. More coming!
Disclosure: Disney paid all my expenses for the media trip and provided my family with products and services during our stay. They never require that I post about my experiences and what I learn, but the Disney trips are always full of helpful and important information for parents and families that I love to share with my readers. All opinions are my own and as always, I love to share experiences with my readers that offer quality and/or value – and make you feel lucky!