Camper Scamper 5k And 1-mile Fun Run April 14, 2007

CAMPER SCAMPER 5K AND 1-MILE FUN RUN ON SATURDAY, APRIL 14 TO BENEFIT CAMP JOHN MARC, A “SPECIAL CAMP FOR SPECIAL KIDS”

Family-oriented event raises funds so thousands of North Texas children with chronic illnesses or physical disabilities can attend special summer and year-round camp programs

Lace up your tennies, round up the kids, grab your stroller, wheelchair – and even your puppy – and head to the very unique 13th annual “Camper Scamper,” a family-oriented 5K and 1-mile fun run and walk slated for Sat., Apr. 14, at 8:30 a.m. at Reverchon Park (Maple Ave. and Turtle Creek Blvd.) in Dallas. The event benefits Camp John Marc, “a special camp for special kids” that serves children with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities. The money raised last year helped thousands of North Texas kids journey to summer and weekend camps designed especially for children with cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, burn survivors, juvenile arthritis and muscular dystrophy, to name a few.

The event is open to all ages – and because Camp John Marc serves children with a variety of medical issues, individuals with disabilities “feel right at home” at Camper Scamper. There are even race categories and prizes rewarding male and female runners and top wheelchair racers with the best times! Race organizers will use ChampionChip® Electronic Timing to obtain more accurate and quicker results. For details and to register, go to www.lukeslocker.com.

In addition to the race, presenting sponsor Brinker International is catering a fantastic breakfast from On the Border. Plus this year’s Campers’ Corral will feature photo buttons, a water war, a KidFish tank, a rock climbing wall, a bounce house, camp crafts, games, face painting, Paws Across Texas, the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, and Canine Companions for Independence.

The Camp Challenge will award the camp team with the highest percentage of campers, family members, counselors and friends that come to the race and sign in at the Camp Challenge table.

Race details
Camper Scamper is part of the 2007 Crosson Dannis Grand Prix Racing Series. The USATF certified 5K Run and Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. with the 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk event at 9:15 a.m. On-site registration will begin at 7 a.m. with a group warm-up at 8:10 a.m. Entry fees (includes T-shirt) are $18 for pre-registered adults (who sign up by April 9); $20 for those who sign up between Tues. – Fri. prior to the race (Apr. 10 – 13); $8 for children under 12; and $25 for race day registration. Camp John Marc campers are free. Walk-in registration and package pick-up are available Sat., Apr. 7, and Wed., Apr. 11 – Fri., Apr. 13 at all three Luke’s Locker locations in Dallas (3607 Oak Lawn Ave, 214-528-1290), Fort Worth (1540 S. University Drive, 817-877-1448) and Colleyville (5505 Colleyville Blvd. #120, 817-849-1562). Package pick-up at Luke’s in Fort Worth and Colleyville ends Thurs., Apr. 12. Participants can also register the day of the race.

For details and to register, go to the website at www.lukeslocker.com, call the Camp John Marc offices at 214-360-0056, or pick up race brochures at Luke’s Locker in Dallas, Colleyville and Fort Worth.

New this year is the Luke’s Texas Challenge that will award $3,000 in prize money for male and female winners in the open division and masters division. To qualify, participants must be Texas residents and must have pre-registered. In addition, the Winners Circle will give non-cash awards to wheelchair winners and to the top three males and females in 15 different age groups: Top three overall, top master, top overall wheelchair, top overall classic wheelchair and top overall hand-cranked wheelchair, plus trophies to the top three males and females in a variety of age groups. Also, the top overall winner from each category will receive a new pair of Adidas shoes.
Free parking will be available – just follow the signs). Handicapped parking will be available in front of the Reverchon Recreation Center.

About Camp John Marc
Camper Scamper benefits Camp John Marc, a non-profit organization that opened in 1991, which allows chronically ill or physically disabled children to attend this medically sophisticated camp located 85 miles southwest of Dallas. These specialized camping experiences provide an opportunity for children to learn new skills, develop new relationships and learn lifelong lessons which allow them to become more independent individuals.

During 2006, the summer camp served 1,303 children, including those with asthma, childhood cancer, heart disease, hemophilia, juvenile arthritis, kidney disease, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, chronic asthma, burn survivors and spina bifida. Many of the off-season camps are designed for the entire family. In 2006, 1,353 children and their families attended camp for a weekend. The time at camp is truly a respite from the routine of medical care for these children and their families. For more information, go to www.campjohnmarc.org.

Official Website: http://www.lukeslocker.com