Youth Sports Program continues to promote health on all levels
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Purdue's program, which started in 2002, will draw about 400 students, ages 10-16. The campers will participate from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays through July 21. The program is free, and the campers are selected based on referrals from Tippecanoe County schools.
"Being selected as the only program in the state to continue with support is an incredible honor and says a lot about the success of the Purdue program," says Tom Templin, professor and head of the Department of Health and Kinesiology. "It also is a compliment to the camp's fantastic local support system that includes our student team leaders, Purdue staff, business leaders and school corporation administrators that give so much to this program that helps children learn about making positive choices and healthy living through playing sports."
Federal funding for the 200-plus national programs was reduced this summer, and only 58 programs were selected to continue, says Templin, who also is Purdue's program administrator. There were about half a dozen programs in Indiana, and the University of Notre Dame program is continuing with private funding.
The students, in teams of about 15, rotate through activity stations that include basketball, tennis, softball, swimming, soccer and volleyball, as well computer skills training, nutritional information, dangers of substance abuse and career opportunities. The stations are intentionally spaced about 10 minutes from each other to make sure each student walks at least one hour a day.
"The program is in its fifth year, and many of the older campers are veterans," says William Harper, a professor of health and kinesiology who serves as the program's activity director. "This year we are organizing new activities to provide the 15- and 16-year-olds a taste of other experiences, such as lacrosse, bowling and personal training. This will hopefully encourage them to pursue new sports or a lifetime leisure."
Some of the experienced campers also are serving as junior team leaders to help the Purdue student team leaders with activity stations. This is the first year that some of the junior team leaders, who graduated from the program last year, were hired back after completing training sessions.
"These students enjoyed the program so much that they want to give back," Harper says. "I don't think they realize that this new experience will change their lives even more."
Giving back is a central theme for Purdue's program. The campers take breaks from their activity stations to participate in community outreach. Last year the campers helped the American Cancer Society set up for its Relay For Life fundraiser, visited with veterans at the Indiana Veterans' Home and helped organize items at Trinity Mission's thrift shop.
"The campers receive so much from the community — from sports equipment to door prizes — that we want them to realize how it feels to give to others," Harper says. "The service-learning component is more than the campers going somewhere to work, because we also spend time talking before and after the activity about the program they are helping and what it meant to help out."
Prior to the start of program, campers must complete a medical screening. Local health-care providers and staff from Purdue's Student Hospital provided the screenings in May.
In addition to the program's contributions to the local community, Templin says Purdue's program is recognized for its research component.
The success of the 37-year National Youth Sports Program is often only verified anecdotally, but Purdue is analyzing return campers to see if the program makes a difference in their physical health and school performance, Templin says. The long-term study will compare campers from Lafayette School Corp. with students from the same school who did not attend the program, as well as monitor the campers' progress each year.
"What we learn can help programs around the country know what helps youth stay active," Templin says. "Also, through these positive results, we want to encourage more organizations to fund and expand this program."
The national program has honored Purdue's camp for its achievements, including being named best new program in 2002 and special recognition for its 2004 and 2005 program.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Sources: Tom Templin, (765) 494-3178, ttemplin@purdue.edu
William Harper, (765) 494-1518, wharper@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Keith W. March, a physician with Sigma Med Express Care, examines 11-year-old Ashley Torunl of Lafayette during a medical screening for Purdue's National Youth Sports Program. Purdue's program, which is the only one in Indiana to receive federal funding, will draw about 400 students ages 10-16. The campers will participate in a variety of activities, including lacrosse, basketball, softball, track and swimming, on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through July 21. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2006/NYSP-physical.jpg
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