Three cheers for U Play! New Orleans. More than 350 attendees gathered for workshops, mingling and more,  making this one very successful training. The event culminated with a playground build at Woodmere Elementary, where the volunteers joined community members, a National Civilian Community Corps team, Hands On Network volunteers, and several KaBOOM! staffers.

Join in the post-U Play! forum conversations, and view a photo album here. Hear about the U Play! experience directly from attendees below.

User: Angelle

Hi, All you U Players!

Thanks -- you made our dreams come true at Woodmere.  Of course, we love our children at Woodmere; we get to spend every day with them.  But the thought that you all love them enough to come down and build them such a phenomenal playspace is nothing short of miraculous to me.

How can we ever thank you enough?  Can't be done.  I will be sure to send you lots of pictures of my children playing. I plan to volunteer on other playground builds, too. You are true angels.

User: Kelly Hanson

Hi Gang, I will try to keep this brief, but it will take a miracle. The both experiences with KaBOOM! down here in New Orleans have been high points of my life. You have changed 1,000's of lives - many more than you can imagine. My connection with KaBOOM! came about via United Way. As the Creative Director for United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area, I was on the build committee for both projects. Though I am leaving United Way at the end of this month, I would like to maintain contact with your organization to be an 'automatic' volunteer for any projects in the surrounding area. Thank you for showing me what true teamwork is all about.

User: Lionpride07 

Just like everyone else, we too are so grateful and had a wonderful experience at U Play!. It was a pleasure meeting a ton of you at the U Play! conference and we want to thank you too for all the help and support you've given us. Everyone's stories were touching and we wish the best of luck to everyone during their projects. Build Day was amazing, just as we anticipated, and it will really prepare us for our Build Day in May!

User: espere05 

New Orleans 2007 was the first U Play! that I have had the pleasure to attend and will hopefully not be the last. Even though I was one of the youngest people present at the conference, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and helpfulness that was offered by my fellow participants at U Play!. This conference was a strong networking opportunity for me to be able to meet individuals of all levels of experience who will serve as mentors to me as I plan to build playgrounds for the Philadelphia community.

Through the U Play! experience, it has become evident to me that KaBOOM! as an organization is an incredible opportunity to bridge the intergenerational gaps that are present in many communities today. A reoccurring theme throughout the weekend was power of working together towards a shared goal. Don't you think it would be wonderful if we could rally together peoples of all ages to be advocates for providing a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, and not just America, the world?!

User: John Duncan Holt

The build was spectacular. When we drove up to the school and saw the roof torn off and hanging down on the sides, I knew we were there for a purpose. The spirit of the group was infectious.  Everyone went to work and who would believe the transformation at the end?  Ideas from this build will definitely be utilized in my project.  Aside from the playground, the simple touches of the planters on the benches, the stepping stones of the children as well as the outdoor classroom, all added to a well-planned project.  I was throughly inspired.

When I give my report to the my playground committe and share all that I have learned, I expect it to be a shot of adrenaline that will at as a catalyst for our playground build.

What a wonderful time we had in New Orleans at KaBOOM!. Made this 57-year-old grandmother of 10 feel like 20 again. With a little less energy. Just wanted to thank everyone at KaBOOM! .  My husband and I left with a world of great information, a great support system and hopefully some new friends. 

Good luck to all who will be building their playspaces this year!!!! 

I just wanted to tell you what an awesome experience I had today with the team, at Woodmere Elementary School. It was the most organized event ever, with great people and great attitudes and work ethics! Thanks for coming, and blessing us like you did! God bless!