OUR MISSION – To harness the power of sports to shape the strong girls that become the valued teammates and high achievers of tomorrow.
- To inspire or enhance a lifelong appreciation for a healthy lifestyle, including sports & fitness
- To empower/build confidence through sports
- To promote skill development for all levels through quality instruction and fun
- To teach and promote solid life skills & core values through sports
- To inspire our campers and their families to support our women’s collegiate and professional sports teams through education and experience
THE HISTORY OF GAME ON! – The story behind its evolution
Back in the 1970s while competing in tennis, basketball, volleyball and softball at Highland Park High School, Game On! and the notion of passing on the gift of sports to young girls was but a distant dream. Following high school, Barb Lazarus was off to play tennis at the University of Michigan (1978), followed by law school, eight years with the United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago, and ultimately on to success in the business world.
In 2006, Barb decided it was time and Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls was born. The first camp opened in 2007 at Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois. Barb, together with Director of Operations Sara Hokin, was proud to open a second camp in downtown Chicago in 2011 and then onto other states across the country.
ARRIVAL IN FORT COLLINS AREA!
In 2014, while living in Chicago, young Colby participated in two weeks of Game On! summer camp followed by after school programming the following fall. At age 5 Colby was introduced to sports she had yet to experience, skills that would be building blocks for life and new girls who became friends. Her mom, Robin Miner, saw the benefits of the program and the joy it brought her daughter.
In 2016 the Miners moved to Fort Collins where, after settling in, Robin approached founder Barb about bringing Game On! to Fort Collins. During the course of conversations Robin was also working out with fitness advocate Walter Hickman. Robin saw quickly that Walter approached fitness more holistically and that his passion for sports and health extended well beyond the gym. Walter and Robin chatted A LOT during weekly workouts. Robin shared with Walter her experience with Game On! and her desire to bring it to Fort Collins. Robin learned that Walter had trained and coached his Olympic runner-wife, Libby Hickman, through an outstanding career as a professional runner and was currently coaching his two teen daughters in tennis and any other sport they endeavored. Organically the discussions continued until Robin and Walter realized that together they could bring Game On! . Robin had the business and marketing experience and for Walter coaching and empowering girls was a way of life.
In 2019 Robin and Walter bought the rights to Game On! Sports 4 Girls in the Fort Collins/Loveland area and, due to the rigors of Colorado licensing, a short, two-week summer season ensued followed and was widely acclaimed. So in Fall 2019 Game On! was off and running with day off school programming, special events and big plans for summer 2020!