California Police Activities League
The mission of the California Police Activities League (CALPAL) is to reduce juvenile crime and delinquency by uniting law enforcement officers and youth through quality activities designed to develop discipline, self-esteem, mutual trust, and respect.
Description:
Known for its athletic activities such as Basketball, Boxing, Soccer, Softball, Martial Arts, and Golf for youth who cannot afford to join other leagues, CALPAL offers many other activities to additionally assist low-income, high-risk youth in having a more complete life experience.
California Police Activities League (PAL)
Program & Events
Southern & Northern California Snow Play days
The Southern and Northern California Snow Play Days are held each year at a snow play area in the Northern and Southern California. The youth spend a full day of sliding down snow packed hills and playing in the snow. California PAL provides 50% of the cost of transportation for the maximum of 45 participants between the ages of 5 – 17 years old.
Southern & Northern California Basketball Tournaments
The Southern and Northern California Basketball tournaments are three-day tournaments that take place in the two regions of California over a holiday weekend. Teams of PAL/SAL youth travel from all over California to compete against youth from other PALS/SALS. This tournament gives youth the opportunity to travel to various communities and observe the terrain of California as well as how a community can be different from the one the live in. They also get the opportunity to stay overnight in a hotel room and eat at different restaurants. If the participants do well they will leave with an increased level of self-esteem as they are awarded individual medals and team trophies. California PAL provides the cost of one bus per PAL/SAL for the maximum of 6 teams between the ages of 11 – 16 years old. lodging and tournament fees.
Sacramento Experience
The California PAL Annual Sacramento Experience is held at the Sacramento Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in March or April. California PAL invites youth leaders from local PALS/SALS throughout the state to get leadership and legislative training, good meals, and a great time with other diverse youth. Additionally, PAL/SAL youth get the opportunity to tour the State Capitol, interact with their legislators and possibly get a chance to meet Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The participants will leave with a new sense of the characteristics of a leader are as well as ways to positively effect their community. California PAL provides the travel via airplane, train or car for 4 youth and 2 chaperones per PAL/SAL between the grades of 7th – 12th lodging, meals and training fees.
Southern & Northern Martial Arts Tournaments
The one-day Southern & Northern Martial Arts Tournaments give youth the opportunity to compete on variety of skill levels as well as competitions. They also have the opportunity to witness forms of Martial Arts that their PAL/SAL may not be participating in. If the participants do well they will leave with an increased level of self-esteem as they are awarded individual medals and team trophies. California PAL provides the cost of one bus per PAL/SAL for the maximum of 45 participants between the ages of 5 – 17 years old.
Girls Softball Tournament
California PAL’s two-day statewide Girls Softball tournament has a maximum of 30 teams. Each team may contain no more than 12 players and each PAL/SAL may enter no more than one team per division. If the participants do well they will leave with an increased level of self-esteem as they are awarded individual medals and team trophies. California PAL provides one bus per PAL/SAL between the ages of 12 – 16 years old. California PAL also provides the food, lodging and tournament fees.
Golf Tournament
The two-day California PAL statewide Golf tournament is for co-ed participants. The age range is 12 – 17 years. California PAL reimburses the attendees for either gas or rental car fees for travel to this event. At the end of the two rounds of golf teams are awarded medals and trophies. Each PAL/SAL can bring four foursomes (3 youth and 1 adult per team.) Lodging is provided and farewell lunch.
Beach Play Day
California PAL’s Annual Beach Play Day overnight camping event takes place at Huntington State Beach in Southern California. California PAL arranges transportation and the National Guard assists with the tent setup for the nearly 900 participants of this event. The youth spend a full day of swimming in the ocean; rock climbing, riding off terrain vehicles, and playing street hockey. California PAL provides one bus per PAL/SAL for the maximum 45 participants between the ages of 9 – 17 years old. All meals are provided..
Southern & Northern California Theme Parks
California PAL subsidizes the cost for local PALS/SALS to bring up to 50 youth to four theme parks, located in Northern and Southern California. The California PAL theme park days give PAL/SAL youth the opportunity to interact with youth from a variety of communities while enjoying a day in the park. The locations for Southern California are Sea World and Magic Mountain. The locations for Northern California are Marine World and Great America. Each PAL/SAL must provide their own transportation to this event.
Boxing Tournament
This three-day tournament is a statewide tournament for co-ed participants between the ages of 10-20 years of age. This is California PAL’s only open tournament where individuals from local boxing clubs can participate and NOT be a CAL PAL member. California PAL provides the transportation to the event and lodging for the boxers who fit into the age range. Medals and championship belts are given to all participants.
Southern & Northern California Camporees
Theses events take place at State Parks in the 2 regions of California. The youth spend a full day kayaking, swimming, fishing, participating in educational outdoor programs and enjoying the benefits of nature. Many PAL/SAL youth have never had the opportunity to participate in these kinds of activities, much less experience the joys of “sleeping under the stars.” California PAL provides 50% of the cost of one bus per PAL/SAL for the maximum 45 participants between the ages of 9-17 years old and all meals.
Soccer Tournament
This two-day tournament is a statewide event for co-ed participants. California PAL provides one bus per PAL for the participant’s between the ages of 12-16 years old. Each PAL/SAL may enter no more than one team per divisions, for a maximum of six teams – three girls and three boys’ teams. Each team may consist of no more that 15 players. This tournament is limited to a maximum of 80 teams. Medals and team trophies are given to the 1st-2nd-3rd place winners in each division. CAL PAL provides Lodging and tournament fees.
Life After High School
This is a new program started by California PAL in 2004 that has proven extremely successful. Held at a California State University, youth stay on a college campus in dorms and attend a variety of classes that will help them prepare for life once they complete high school and/or move from home. Some of the classes that are offered are:
• Taking the SAT test
• How to apply for college scholarships
• How to apply to Jr. Colleges, State Colleges, Universities or trade schools
• How to find an apartment and understanding an apartment lease
• How to register for the draft, what does the military offer
• How to get a checking or savings account
• How to find medical care or urgent care, how to find a dentist
• How to apply for an apprenticeship (carpenters, electricians, etc.)
• How to fill our job applications
• How to dress and take job/school interviews
• How to get car-health-life insurance
• What to look out for with credit cards
• The dangers of drinking
• Dating and physical/mental spousal abuse
Ages are sophomore to senior year in high school. Limit to 5 youth and 1 adult. California PAL pays for transportation, lodging and meals, and speakers.
History:
Begun in 1971, California PAL has grown into 127 Chapters statewide.
Two men were responsible for organizing
the programs to form California PAL: Lieutenant Charlie Ellis, with San Francisco PD and Sgt. Jim Gould with San Jose Police Department.
In the 1960’s Lt. Ellis had started the Joe DiMaggio Baseball League in the San Francisco area with the support and funding from the Yankee outfielder after the Hall-of-Famer retired.
It was difficult during the first 15 years for all the PAL directors to meet and share ideas. There was an occasional baseball and basketball tournament if the PAL cities were close to each other.
By 1988 the membership had grown to 10 members and at their Annual Conference and Training, the membership decided to hire a full-time Executive Director. Sam Holton, a retired Oakland PD officer, was hired to expand the membership, raise much-needed funds and provide programs for the PAL youth in the membership.
In 1989, the Board of Directors decided to seek the assistance of a professional fund raiser who within a few short years brought in sufficient funds to the organization that allowed CAL PAL to expand the number of tournaments, activities and grants for the membership.
Within 10 years, the organization grew to over 100 cities and counties with Police and Sheriff Activities League that participated in 18 different CAL PAL sponsored tournaments, events and activities.
Currently the membership of CAL PAL is 127 PAL chapters with over 300,000 kids who participate in PAL programs every year. Over the last 37 years, thousands of law enforcement officers have dedicated countless
off-duty hours to the youth of our communities. In addition, hundreds of thousands of parents and community volunteers have worked with PAL kids with the same thing in mind: trying to keep kids off the streets, out of gangs, off drugs and give them a chance to make a future for themselves.
As we reflect back on our 35 year history, the mission of the organization is still the same…Cops and Kids.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (510) 544-4350
Address:
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2000 E. 14th StreetSan Leandro, CA 94577(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.calpal.org
Directions:
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Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: San Leandro,
Walk distance (in minutes): 12
Nearest Bus Stop: 2000 E. 14th Street, 0 minute walk |
| Last updated on June 1, 2009 |
