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Phil Ikehorn, Director, Start Something, Tiger Woods Foundation
Kids across the country can learn how to make their dreams come true, just like Tiger Woods did, by taking part in a new, free program called Start Something. Created by Target Stores and the Tiger Woods Foundation, Start Something encourages kids 11-14 to establish a set of positive core values that will guide them throughout life and help them become role models for their peers.
"What we want to teach kids with Start Something is that each one of them has a dream, whether or not they even realize it," said Tiger Woods. "Once they come to this realization, then we encourage them to work toward their dreams in stages — just like I did with golf. As early as the age of five, I was setting goals for myself. Granted, they weren't big goals, but having them put me on the path for the success I enjoy today."
Tiger Woods and his father, Earl, author of a new book on the same topic, inspired the Start Something program, which focuses on character building and self-improvement. The book, " Start Something: You Can Make a Difference," and the Start Something program teach kids that success can be achieved by taking small steps, and that the power to make a difference — either in their lives, their communities or in the world — can be found within. In addition, the program encourages kids to believe in themselves at an age when they develop core values, and allows them to discover what is most important so that they can make good decisions on their own.
How the Program Works
There are five levels to the Start Something program. Kids advance through the program by completing a series of character-building activities. To move to the next level, kids are required to have an adult sign their activity sheet verifying their accomplishments before mailing it in.
After each set of activity sheets are mailed in, kids will be rewarded with encouragement from Tiger and incentives to continue with the program. Kids can join the free program by filling out a registration card at any Target store, by registering on www.target.com or by calling 1-800-316-6142. Joining the program is all that is required to fulfill Level One. Kids will receive a membership kit that includes a membership card, a poster of Tiger Woods, activity sheets for Levels Two through Four of the program, and information on how to obtain a free copy of Earl Woods' book.
After completing their first set of character-building activities at Level Two, (e.g. "promise to read for 20 minutes a day" and "make a pledge to respect your body"), kids receive a certificate of achievement from Tiger. At Level Three, they begin working on activities like, "interview your parents and grandparents and start building a family history" and "create a 'Keep It Positive" journal," and receive a $5 Target Gift Card upon completion. At Level Four, kids are encouraged to do things such as, "volunteer" and "protect the planes," and receive a $10 Target Gift Card upon completion.
After Level Four is reached and a total of 15 activities are completed, kids can apply for a Start Something Scholarship — ranging from $100 to $2,500 — to be used to fund a special interest, like music lessons, sports camp or an entrepreneurial venture.
Kids can reach the Fifth Level of Start Something by taking a leadership role and either organizing a Start Something club or recruiting 10 new members to join the program. Those who demonstrate such leadership qualify to apply for a $10,000 scholarship. The recipient of this scholarship will also win a trip to meet Tiger at one of his golf clinics.
"It is very important for preadolescent and adolescent kids to be linked with adults and older kids," said Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., noted child psychologist and director of the Parenting Institute at New York University's Child Study Center. " Start Something shows promise not only because it encourages kids to develop these links, but also because it engages kids in the active pursuit of concrete goals. Other programs talk about goals in a passive way and never challenge kids to actually do something about them."
Programs like Start Something — which get kids thinking about right and wrong through a series of character- building activities — are an effective way for adults to help youngsters.
Supporting Data Shows Kids Need Guidance
As part of the Start Something launch, Target and the Tiger Woods Foundation commissioned a survey of kids ages 11-14 to explore attitudes toward goals, values and other issues related to development. According to the survey, the majority of kids agree that having goals and values is very important, but fewer than one in five kids (19 percent), say they have "spent a lot of time thinking about their values," and only 41 percent admit they have "spent a lot of time thinking about their goals. "In addition, the majority "need help figuring out values" (79 percent) and "need help figuring out goals" (66 percent).
"It's encouraging to know that kids think values and goals are important. It's also important to know that they need help developing them," said Dr. Gallagher. "Programs like Start Something — which get kids thinking about right and wrong through a series of character-building activities — are an effective way for adults to help youngsters."
The following is an excerpt from the book: "Start Something: You Can Make a Difference"
Leadership is within each and everyone of us. It doesn't mean you have to be a loud, shouting, "Follow me!" type; you can do it with quiet dignity. You never hear Tiger telling people what to do or how to live their lives, but he shows it every day in the way he conducts himself, with class and dignity, and respect for others. There are many ways to lead — by your words, your actions, your attitude. The choice is yours.