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Lafayette Journal and Courier
She participates in track and field events, plays softball, practices judo and hits the pool at Purdue University. And that's all before 2 p.m. But to Knechel, a good-natured 12-year-old with a splash of freckles across her cheeks, the best part wasn't the swimming pool she waded into to escape Monday's steamy temperatures -- it was the people who waded in with her. "I like finding new friends," Knechel said. "There are lots of really nice people here, and I know lots of new people now." Knechel is one of more than 400 youngsters from Tippecanoe and White counties who are developing their social skills while focusing on healthy living at the fourth annual National Youth Sports Program. Begun nationally in 1969, the program came to Purdue in 2002 after university President Martin Jischke decided the five-week summer camp would be a good way to pursue engagement, one of the school's long-term goals that involves reaching out to communities within the state. Since that time, enrollment has doubled, as children between the ages of 10 and 16 jump at the chance to attend the program free of charge. Kids are recommended by their schools, explained Bill Harper, activities director for the program. "We have a 56 percent return rate," Harper said. "One of our main goals is to contribute to their long-term health and welfare by reinforcing healthy lifestyle choices." Besides sports, the students also get free medical screenings while at camp, testing their vision, hearing and overall physical fitness. Harper said it isn't unusual to find that kids have lost weight when exit physicals are performed at the end of camp. "These kids are walking all day," he said. "All their
activities are at least 10 minutes away from the other. That's an hour
guaranteed of walking each day, on top of all the activities." Dyson, who lives in South Carolina, visits her older brother during the summer in Tippecanoe County, and is thrilled to be spending her summer helping kids at the sports camp. "This camp gives you a different view of exercising," Dyson said. "It's really fun. It's not going to hurt you. It's a good time, and that motivates me to keep going."
Purdue University has launched a study to determine whether the National Youth Sports Program makes a positive difference in the lives of students. Attendees are being compared to similar students in their own schools who don't go to the camps. The first batch of data will be available for analysis this fall.
* Cost of attendance: $0. * Cost to run the camp: $250,000. The camp is funded in part by the federal government, various departments at Purdue, and local and state businesses. * Participants are chosen through school nominations based on family income. Wonder if your child is eligible? Ask a guidance counselor. * For more information online: www.nyscorp.org |