Ultimate Frisbee

February 24, 2009

In 2005 enlisted the help of Right to Play, an International Non-Governmental organization that uses sports and play to improve the lives of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world, to teach Ultimate Frisbee to the DARE Network Community Addiction workers at the annual DARE Network Informational Exchange.

From this training a relationship was fostered between DARE Network and the Bangkok SoiDawgz Ultimate Frisbee team in order to introduce Ultimate Frisbee to more refugee camps along the border.

Recognizing Ultimate Frisbee as an inclusive game that appeals to both girls and boys, DARE Network began to promote the game as part of the Teenagers for Kids program in 2006. The Teenagers for Kids Ultimate Frisbee program operates in 8 of the refugee camps along the Thai/Burma border. The Bangkok SoiDawgz Ultimate Frisbee team, through Volunteer training activities has been instrumental in encouraging youth to play this sport .

Ultimate Frisbee continues to be successful as an activity for youth, who feel marginalized, lack future opportunities and are confined to the camps. Ultimate Frisbee also provides an alternative activity to drug and alcohol use. It raises self-esteem and reduces trauma.

DARE Network supports the DARE Teenager Teams to share their knowledge of substance use with younger kids during and after games. In 2009, DARE will have an Ultimate Frisbee Inter-Refugee Camp Tournament.