NEWS
RELEASE
News
Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900
Award-winning
NYSP Program
Offered June 10-July 15
MAILED:
April 25, 2003
EAU CLAIRE - Boys and girls ages 10-16 can spend five weeks having fun while learning
this summer through the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's 23rd annual National
Youth Sports Program.
More than 400 young people have already registered for the free program, which
begins June 12 and continues through July 18 (with no camp on July 3-4).
Under the theme, "The Right Start," the program's primary focus is to
give children from economically disadvantaged families an opportunity to learn
lifelong sport skills, enjoy competition, participate in activities they might
not be able to otherwise afford and be exposed to life on a college campus.
The program components include a mandatory instructional swimming program, basketball,
softball, tennis, football, soccer, track and field, ropes course, climbing wall,
special events, and an educational program that includes hands-on activities relating
to drugs and alcohol, health and nutrition, higher education and careers, and
math/science. A special "Senior Program" offers additional opportunities
and academic programs, such as canoeing, golf and field trips, for participants
who are 13-16 years old.
The instructional staff includes UW-Eau Claire graduates, and approximately 35
college students will serve as activity counselors for the participants. Along
with the free sports instruction and educational classes, each participant will
receive free breakfast and lunch, a t-shirt and transportation to and from camp.
Free physical exams are also provided.
According to UW-Eau Claire's NYSP project administrator William B. Harms, associate
vice chancellor for student services, about 150 students participated in the program
when it began. Both the program and participation have grown since then, helping
UW-Eau Claire gain national recognition. Since 1988, the program at UW-Eau Claire
has received 11 "Meritorious Awards," recognizing it as one of the top
five programs among more than 200 programs nationwide. In 1991 and again in 1998,
the program received the prestigious "Silvio O. Conte Award," which
ranked UW-Eau Claire as the top program in the country.
Harms said there are a number of things that have helped the program gain recognition.
"Without the outstanding staff the program wouldn't be where it is today,
and the staff and curriculum go hand-in-hand. We have wonderful resources at UW-Eau
Claire, which allow us to fulfill this community service aspect of our mission,"
Harms said.
The program is coordinated through the University Recreation Office and is funded
through a Community Action Block Grant in partnership with the National Collegiate
Athletic Association. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction, provides additional funding for food services.
For more information about NYSP, call University Recreation at (715) 836-3377.
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JW/JB
Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu
Updated:
April 25, 2003