SMILE SPORTSFree one-day sports camps · Chicago and the Philippines
A gym full of kids.
A dentist at station five.
Nobody pays a cent.
Sixty children. Six teams of ten. Four hours of sport, and an oral health lesson they actually enjoy. Every child goes home with a toothbrush kit and a short list of nearby dentists who will see them.
Our mission
We use sports to make oral health education fun for children.
Sixty children, six coaches, one neighborhood court
Our first camp, Pampanga, the Philippines, November 2025. Three elementary schools, six local coaches, four teachers, a dental station between games, and a community of helpers.
Two ways we reach children
Our own camps
A free one-day sports camp for 60 children, run by our volunteers in a neighborhood gym. Four sport stations, an oral health station and a wellness station. Shirts, kits and a referral sheet included.
Our lesson in your camp
Already running a camp or an after-school program? We bring the oral health station to you. Free, 45 minutes, on your schedule, with your staff watching. You keep the pre and post test data for your own reporting.
Proof of concept
It started on a court in Pampanga
In November 2025 we ran our first camp in Mabalacat, Pampanga, in the Philippines: three elementary schools, local coaches, community leaders and dental professionals, on a neighborhood court.
Many of the children had never owned a toothbrush of their own. Rather than set up an intimidating clinic, we met them where they were confident, which was playing basketball. The sport removed the fear and the lesson landed.
Camps planned in and around Chicago
Beginning Thanksgiving weekend 2026. Three hundred and sixty children in year one, free to every family.
Sample questionsPreguntas de ejemplo
Can your child answer these?¿Su hijo puede responder estas preguntas?
EasyHow long should you brush your teeth each time?A30 secondsB2 minutesC10 minutesDUntil the toothpaste is goneTap for the answer
B. Two minutes. Twice a day. A favorite song makes a good timer.
MediumAfter a hard game, which drink is best for your teeth?ASodaBA sports drinkCWaterDFruit juiceTap for the answer
C. Water. Sports drinks and juice carry sugar and acid that wear on teeth. For most kids, water is all they need. Water or a sports drink? →
HardA grown-up tooth gets knocked out during a game. What should you do with it?AThrow it awayBWash it with soap and dry itCKeep it wet in milk and get to a dentist fastDPut it under your pillowTap for the answer
C. Keep it wet and get to a dentist. Hold it by the top, never the root. Our mouthguard guide for parents →
Fácil¿Cuánto tiempo debes cepillarte los dientes cada vez?A30 segundosB2 minutosC10 minutosDHasta que se acabe la pastaToca para ver la respuesta
B. Dos minutos. Dos veces al día. Una canción favorita sirve de reloj.
IntermedioDespués de un partido intenso, ¿cuál es la mejor bebida para tus dientes?ARefrescoBUna bebida deportivaCAguaDJugo de frutaToca para ver la respuesta
C. Agua. Las bebidas deportivas y los jugos tienen azúcar y ácido que desgastan los dientes. Para la mayoría de los niños, el agua es suficiente. Agua o bebida deportiva (en inglés) →
DifícilSe te cae un diente permanente durante un partido. ¿Qué debes hacer con él?ATirarloBLavarlo con jabón y secarloCMantenerlo mojado en leche e ir rápido al dentistaDPonerlo debajo de la almohadaToca para ver la respuesta
C. Mantenerlo mojado e ir al dentista. Tómalo por la parte de arriba, nunca por la raíz. Nuestra guía para padres (en inglés) →
The camp quiz is written for each age group, in English and Spanish.El cuestionario del campamento se escribe para cada edad, en inglés y en español.
Parents: camp sign-up is open
Free basketball camps for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders on Sunday, November 29 and Sunday, December 27. Sixty places a camp.
What happens next
- Invited schools give families a sign-up code
- Pick one camp and fill in one short form for each child
- No code? Ask your school for one
Prefer to talk to a person? Email contact@smilesports.org.
With thanks to
National Children’s Oral Health Foundation
Oral care products for children
Host of our holiday camps
America’s ToothFairy and SmileMakers sent the toothbrushes and hygiene kits that go home with every child. Intentional Sports hosts our holiday camps. How to join them →
Community Collaboration
Want to help?