Athletes and Authors Through our relationships in Baltimore, PlaySmart was introduced to Athletes and Authors Summer Academy, a summer camp based on teaching positive values through academic and athletic instruction. Athletes and Authors was conceived and developed by Baltimore City Public School teachers Ansel Sanders and Nick D'Ambrosio. Thirty elementary and middle school students attended the inaugural Academy sessions during the summer of 2006. The program expanded to sixty seven campers attending the 2007 summer sessions. In June 2007, Athletes and Authors Summer Academy contracted with the Center for Summer Learning of Johns Hopkins University to develop a curriculum to accompany and supplement its summer learning guide. The mission of Athletes and Authors Summer Academy is to provide upper elementary- and middle school-age students with an invigorating learning experience that emphasizes values necessary for success in academics and athletics. By the end of the Academy, participants gain skills in athletics and language arts, and also gain a firm understanding of how to use the values taught at the Academy to live healthy, successful lives. In 2008, PlaySmart is pleased to partner with Athletes and Authors and believe this will be a great relationship for years to come. We thank Ansel and Nick, as well as Susan English, for enabling this partnership to flourish. Please visit www.athletesandauthors.com for further information. Click HERE for the "Thank You" letter from Athletes and Authors.