Make This an Epic Year with Shelly Weaver
Shelly Weaver is focused on creating epic opportunities for kids across Oklahoma. As the founder of Epos Sports Experience, a non-profit dedicated to transforming the lives of youth, she has built an impactful organization in a short time. Epos, the Greek word for “Epic,” sponsors camps and events for kids in grades seven through 12 in mainstream sports, rodeo and agriculture.
TK: Can you share what Epos is.
Shelly: Epos is a non-profit organization designed to impact young athletes and coaches to overcome adversities through the importance of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. We are the largest sports camp in the state of Oklahoma. Epos is the Greek word for “epic,” and that is exactly the kind of impact and experience that I want to bring to our youth.
TK: Some people think about giving back, but you took it to the next level. Tell us about what prompted you to start Epos?
Shelly: Looking back, I know I wasn’t asking for something else to do, but during prayer, the overall vision of Epos started to be apparent. I have always had a passion for teenagers, so when this was put so strongly on my heart, I knew God was asking me to walk through this door.
TK: Can you share a success story that has been a result of a student who attended the camp?
Shelly: We have seen so many successes come from camp! We have several kids that had failing grades and were on the verge of being held back, with the outcome being they drop out of school. One of the young men had never been on the honor roll and had a lot of conflicts at school. Once school resumed, he went in with a totally different attitude. He received the leadership award that year and also the principal’s honor roll. He graduated that following year. His mother reached out and said our camp changed her son’s life and that he had never received an award in all his years of school. Her tears were heard loud and clear over the phone.
TK: Why is it important that top-level athletes and coaches, including professionals, lead the camps?
Shelly: Every child deserves the opportunity to train with top coaches. Camps at this level are very costly so most children aren’t given that opportunity. We want kids to always know they have positive mentors year-round to help them with training or in life.
TK: Can you share some details about what the camps offer?
Shelly: Our camp provides an environment that enhances an athlete’s skill level in football, baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, volleyball and tennis. This is a top-tier training camp with an additional, important focus: We pride ourselves on the life skills classes that we offer. Sports are important, but for any child to become a high-level competitor it takes mental skills to be developed along with the ability to train with a speed and agility coach.
TK: This program takes place on the Oklahoma State University campus, so there are some classes involved for these student athletes. What types of classes are offered?
Shelly: We all know the statistics of the likelihood of a child playing sports in college or going on to play professionally, so our focus is beyond sports. Kids today face a lot more obstacles than we did 20 years ago. Our classes offer drug and alcohol awareness, marketing/branding, team building and life coaching. Our classrooms are very driven to give them the keys for success not only in sports but in school, family and future employment.
TK: Tell us about the sports camp this summer – when registration opens, cost, where it is and what it includes.
Shelly: Registration opens March 1. Camp will be June 17-22, 2024, at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The cost is $99, which includes dorms, meals and sports camp. Note: if students can’t afford that amount, a request can be made to cover that fee.
TK: Epos is going into five years. Can you share some statistics of your impact?
Shelly: Our state has a large number of families struggling financially. It is important to Epos to provide scholarships for those children. Epos sponsored over 650 kids last year at 100%. All funds raised pay for the kids requesting sponsorship. In addition, the funds raised also help pay for all the meals provided during camp. We served 19,900 meals last year. In addition to camp, we help coaches who have students that do not have athletic shoes and are without the means to obtain them. We provided 102 pairs of shoes in 2023! With such an immense need in our public schools, we hope to double that number next year.
TK: Can you share some details about the Epos Gala?
Shelly: The average cost for one student to attend camp is $350, and we only charge $99. The difference in that cost comes through generous donations at our fundraising events. Our Gala will be next month, February 17, 2024, at Southern Hills. The keynote speaker is Adrian Peterson. This is a great time to hear from students who have been positively impacted by our organization as well as a fun way to support our organization.
TK: What is your advice for someone thinking about starting a non-profit?
Shelly: Be prepared to personally invest in the non-profit. While small donations or grants help, it takes a minimum of three years for revenue to be generated. If your heart is solely to help others, then there will be success if you bring together a strong team of like-minded individuals who are also looking to support the organization’s mission. Epos is 100% volunteer based, so all the revenue goes to projects that directly benefit the kids.
TK: How can people get involved?
Shelly: Epos is always looking for volunteers who have a servant’s heart. We host many events, including overnight camp, day camps and outreach programs along with the Clay Shoot and Gala for fundraisers. You can go to the Epos website to reach out, purchase a ticket to the Gala, or register for camp. Our hashtag is #BeTheDifference, and together, we can!
TK: What else would you like to share?
Shelly: I feel that it is important for everyone to understand the pivotal place our teens are in. If we are not willing to stand with them and support them then our future generations will be faced with huge obstacles and not have the tools to succeed. Together, we can help every child succeed in life.
You can find more information about Epos online: EposAthletes.org – including purchasing tickets for the Gala or registering for the 2024 camp experience. Registration for the 2024 camp opens on March 1 for kids going into seventh through 12th grades.
Listen to the Sharing Passion and Purpose Podcast to hear from Shelly and learn her plans for grow Epos in the near future. Listen on your favorite podcasting platform or directly at SharingPassionandPurpose.com
Nancy A. Moore is a Public Relations Coordinator at Montreau, Adjunct Professor at Tulsa Community College, and has been writing for TulsaKids for almost 20 years.
