Bowler's Ed program awards grants and expands relationships
February 18, 2025
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress Youth Development Team, through its Bowler’s Ed program, continues to provide new and exciting ways to connect with local communities and schools to promote all the positives associated with youth bowling.
Ten new schools and three school districts will have the opportunity to incorporate bowling into their educational plans during the 2025-2026 school year courtesy of the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program.
Thirteen recipients have been chosen by the United States Bowling Congress Youth Development team to receive Bowler’s Ed kits and curriculum information through the program. Through these 13 recipients, more than 20,000 students will be directly impacted by the program. USBC Youth is awarding 12 of the grants, with one grant sponsored by the New York State Bowling Proprietors’ Association.
Bowler’s Ed is a curriculum- and equipment-based physical education program designed to introduce students to the lifetime sport of bowling. Each Bowler’s Ed kit provides teachers and supporting staff with the equipment and tools needed to enjoy the sport in the most convenient way – bringing a bowling-center-like atmosphere into classrooms, gyms and recreational spaces.
Through the grant program, schools and organizations are able to teach students and young athletes about bowling in an educational and fun setting. Each kit provides six sets of the following: a carpeted mobile bowling lane, rubber bowling ball, plastic pins, step-by-step curriculum and an instructional video on the fundamentals of bowling, which includes etiquette, safety, scoring and fitness activities.
The schools and school districts selected to receive Bowler’s Ed kits for the 2025-2026 school year were determined based on applications submitted by the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. The kits will be received by the following schools and districts:
The curriculum includes lessons that put a new twist on subjects that students are already learning about such as math, language arts, social studies, problem solving, computer skills and more. It also introduces the students to a sport that they can play for a lifetime while providing great exercise, building endurance and developing hand-eye coordination in a fun way.
“We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” said Adrienne Sodemann, Grant Coordinator for Thrive Center for Success. “Bowling is an accessible and engaging sport that will allow our students to develop coordination, social skills and teamwork in a fun and structured way. Bringing this program to Thrive Center for Success aligns perfectly with our mission to provide innovative, inclusive opportunities that empower our students to succeed.
“This grant will enrich student experiences and foster community engagement, promoting teamwork, coordination and confidence,” Sodemann added. “For students at Thrive, a charter school dedicated to serving children with autism, this program will provide a unique way to develop essential skills in a supportive environment. Winning this grant will not only enhance Thrive’s physical education program but also create new pathways for students to connect with their peers and the broader community.”
USBC Youth Development works with local associations, schools and bowling centers throughout the country to deliver the In-School Bowler’s Ed kits. Each kit is valued at $2,200.
The initiative is supported by the bowling industry and aims to bring bowling centers and associations together with schools and non-profit organizations in their communities, allowing physical education teachers and other instructors the opportunity to make bowling one of the sports they teach to their students.
Since 2010, the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program has awarded 367 grants valued at over $775,000. More than 4.7 million students from 47 states and provinces across the United States and Canada have been impacted by the program.
USBC Youth Development also created another youth bowling initiative through a relationship with School Family Media in which a landing page was created on their website for PTA/PTO leaders to access information about Bowler’s Ed. This includes information on curriculum distribution, grant applications and more. A link to that landing page can be found here: https://marketing.bowl.com/bowlers-ed-teachers
Additionally, School Family Media sent an email to physical educators to inform them about the free Bowler’s Ed curriculum. In turn, those educators visit the landing page to get the curriculum, which provides information on how bowling is a healthy activity and how to apply for a Bowler’s Ed Grant.
Another promotional item included placement of a piece in the PTO Today marketplace – which is a place where PTOs and PTAs can get information, ads, deals, etc., on a variety of things. The piece encourages those PTO and PTA members to bring bowling to their schools as part of a bowling night fundraiser while also telling them about the free teacher curriculum and equipment grant opportunities.
All of this good work has come to fruition in a variety of ways and places, including at Wisconsin’s West De Pere School District where the school district is taking full advantage of the Bowler’s Ed program. The program has been so successful that it prompted a mention in a video address from the superintendent of the district, Dr. Jason Lau, which can be seen here: Dr. Wow moment.
For schools, facilities or organizations interested in applying for a Bowler’s Ed grant, the application portal is open once again. The submission deadline for this round is June 30, 2025.
Information on the Bowler’s Ed program can be found at BOWL.com/BowlersEd, and applications for the Bowler’s Ed grant can be found at ibc.smapply.net.
Ten new schools and three school districts will have the opportunity to incorporate bowling into their educational plans during the 2025-2026 school year courtesy of the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program.
Thirteen recipients have been chosen by the United States Bowling Congress Youth Development team to receive Bowler’s Ed kits and curriculum information through the program. Through these 13 recipients, more than 20,000 students will be directly impacted by the program. USBC Youth is awarding 12 of the grants, with one grant sponsored by the New York State Bowling Proprietors’ Association.
Bowler’s Ed is a curriculum- and equipment-based physical education program designed to introduce students to the lifetime sport of bowling. Each Bowler’s Ed kit provides teachers and supporting staff with the equipment and tools needed to enjoy the sport in the most convenient way – bringing a bowling-center-like atmosphere into classrooms, gyms and recreational spaces.
Through the grant program, schools and organizations are able to teach students and young athletes about bowling in an educational and fun setting. Each kit provides six sets of the following: a carpeted mobile bowling lane, rubber bowling ball, plastic pins, step-by-step curriculum and an instructional video on the fundamentals of bowling, which includes etiquette, safety, scoring and fitness activities.
The schools and school districts selected to receive Bowler’s Ed kits for the 2025-2026 school year were determined based on applications submitted by the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. The kits will be received by the following schools and districts:
- American Academy – Castle Pines, Colo.
- Belleview-Santos Elementary School – Belleview, Fla.
- Carthage R-9 School District – Carthage, Mo.
- Dorseyville Elementary School – White Castle, La.
- Eastern Suffolk BOCES – Bellport, N.Y.
- Hazel Valley Elementary School – Burien, Wash.
- Jack Harmon Elementary School – San Tan Valley, Ariz.
- Jerome School District – Jerome, Idaho
- Moreland Arts and Health Sciences Magnet School – West St. Paul, Minn.
- South Ridge Elementary School – Ridgefield, Wash.
- Thrive Center for Success – Magnolia, Texas
- Twin Echo Elementary School – Collinsville, Ill.
- Zeeland Public Schools – Zeeland, Mich.
The curriculum includes lessons that put a new twist on subjects that students are already learning about such as math, language arts, social studies, problem solving, computer skills and more. It also introduces the students to a sport that they can play for a lifetime while providing great exercise, building endurance and developing hand-eye coordination in a fun way.
“We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” said Adrienne Sodemann, Grant Coordinator for Thrive Center for Success. “Bowling is an accessible and engaging sport that will allow our students to develop coordination, social skills and teamwork in a fun and structured way. Bringing this program to Thrive Center for Success aligns perfectly with our mission to provide innovative, inclusive opportunities that empower our students to succeed.
“This grant will enrich student experiences and foster community engagement, promoting teamwork, coordination and confidence,” Sodemann added. “For students at Thrive, a charter school dedicated to serving children with autism, this program will provide a unique way to develop essential skills in a supportive environment. Winning this grant will not only enhance Thrive’s physical education program but also create new pathways for students to connect with their peers and the broader community.”
USBC Youth Development works with local associations, schools and bowling centers throughout the country to deliver the In-School Bowler’s Ed kits. Each kit is valued at $2,200.
The initiative is supported by the bowling industry and aims to bring bowling centers and associations together with schools and non-profit organizations in their communities, allowing physical education teachers and other instructors the opportunity to make bowling one of the sports they teach to their students.
Since 2010, the Bowler’s Ed Grant Program has awarded 367 grants valued at over $775,000. More than 4.7 million students from 47 states and provinces across the United States and Canada have been impacted by the program.
USBC Youth Development also created another youth bowling initiative through a relationship with School Family Media in which a landing page was created on their website for PTA/PTO leaders to access information about Bowler’s Ed. This includes information on curriculum distribution, grant applications and more. A link to that landing page can be found here: https://marketing.bowl.com/bowlers-ed-teachers
Additionally, School Family Media sent an email to physical educators to inform them about the free Bowler’s Ed curriculum. In turn, those educators visit the landing page to get the curriculum, which provides information on how bowling is a healthy activity and how to apply for a Bowler’s Ed Grant.
Another promotional item included placement of a piece in the PTO Today marketplace – which is a place where PTOs and PTAs can get information, ads, deals, etc., on a variety of things. The piece encourages those PTO and PTA members to bring bowling to their schools as part of a bowling night fundraiser while also telling them about the free teacher curriculum and equipment grant opportunities.
All of this good work has come to fruition in a variety of ways and places, including at Wisconsin’s West De Pere School District where the school district is taking full advantage of the Bowler’s Ed program. The program has been so successful that it prompted a mention in a video address from the superintendent of the district, Dr. Jason Lau, which can be seen here: Dr. Wow moment.
For schools, facilities or organizations interested in applying for a Bowler’s Ed grant, the application portal is open once again. The submission deadline for this round is June 30, 2025.
Information on the Bowler’s Ed program can be found at BOWL.com/BowlersEd, and applications for the Bowler’s Ed grant can be found at ibc.smapply.net.