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Creating a Culture of Volunteerism:
Students Extend a Helping Hand While
Expanding Their Horizons
Kayla A. Peak and Rachel E. Butler
By creating special events, such as Fantastic Field Day and Rock the
Gym, that are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities, a
culture of volunteerism has been established within the hearts and minds
of students enrolled in the Kinesiology Department at Tarleton State
University. These students have regularly engaged in experiences that
encourage them to extend a helping hand while expanding their educa-
tional and personal horizons. Through the course of working with chil-
dren with disabilities, the noble spirit of altruism is firmly established
within the essence of every Tarleton volunteer.
In 2009, the President of Tarleton
State University, Dr. Dominic Dot-
tavio, formally announced his Stra-
tegic Goals for the University. He
challenged all members of the Tar-
leton family to actively embrace
the four Es --- EXCEL in scholar-
ship, teaching and learning; EX-
PAND our horizons; ENCOUR-
AGE leadership, service and stu-
dent success; and EXTEND our
reach (Dottavio, 2009). These
Strategic Goals appeared to align
seamlessly with an annual special
event, Fantastic Field Day, hosted
by Kinesiology students enrolled
in an adapted physical education
course.
An Overview of Fantastic Field
Day
Fantastic Field Day (FFD), estab-
lished in 1993, is an annual event
held each spring semester on the
Tarleton Stephenville campus.
This free event is designed specifi-
cally for children with disabilities
and special needs. The theme for
FFD has changed over the years;
however, the military-esque or
Rambo theme, affectionately
known as Operation Hoo-Rah, has
been consistently popular with the
children. To boost the excitement,
each participant is given camou-
flaged bandanas, eye black, and
'warrior' face paint. As the partici-
pants rotate through the activity
areas, they will also find that each
is decorated with camouflaged
paint, tarps, hunting blinds, sand
bags, and military-type backdrops.
Furthermore, Each activity station
is identified by signage to further
enhance the theme; examples in-
clude Bay of Pigskins - football
toss, Fill the Foxhole - water carry
relay, Sink the Battleship - soccer
kick, and War Paint - face paint-
ing.
Who are the Participants?
Area school districts within a 100-
mile radius of the Tarleton Ste-
phenville campus are invited. The
children range in age from 3-22
and represent --pre-K through 12th
grade students with an average of
300 children participating each
year. The children's disabilities are
varied but typically include ampu-
tations, autism, burns, cerebral pal-
sy, Down syndrome, emotional
disturbance, growth disorders,
hearing impairments, intellectual
disabilities, learning disabilities,
Fantastic Field Day
(FFD), established in
1993, is an annual event
held each spring semester
on the Tarleton
Stephenville campus.
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