Summer National Youth Sports Program at UNT

For the fifth straight year, Denton County preteens and teens will visit UNT this summer to participate in UNT's free National Youth Sports Program. The program, scheduled June 1 to July 5, combines basic instruction in organized sports with classes on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, math and science, higher education, nutrition and other topics.

Sponsored by the UNT School of Community Service and the Applied Cultural Anthropology Research Center, NYSP develops socialization skills and builds self-esteem and self-concept through classes and sports. Funded through grants from the National Youth Sports Corp., NYSP camps are held at more than 200 colleges and universities each summer, with most campers from economically disadvantaged families.

All NYSP campers are provided with hot breakfasts and lunches and transportation from designated drop-off points to campus and back.

Students will be divided into groups according to their ages and gender. Each day the groups will participate in indoor sports activities, outdoor sports activities, different classes and team-building exercises. Sports activities will include tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, flag football, softball, badminton and swimming. Each NYSP student will receive a free physical examination.

Laura Washington, NYSP activity director for UNT, says that because NYSP is a nonprofit organization, it relies heavily on donations.

"We accept monetary donations that are used for transportation, gift certificates to various department stores to purchase needed items for the children, and office supplies," she says. "Our office just relocated and we are in dire need of office chairs and working file cabinets." The NYSP office recently moved from Edwards Hall to Rooms 104 and 105 of Bain Hall.

Washington added that faculty and staff members also can contribute by making presentations to the campers.

"We try to teach them that despite the situations they are in now, they can further their education and they can continue on to UNT to get that education. We encourage faculty and staff members to come and talk to the students about jobs and career choices, pursuing higher education and financial aid," Washington says.

To make a contribution or to volunteer to make a presentation, call 369-7875.

BY NANCY KOSLTI nkolsti@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves UNT College of Engineering
• UNT VP for administrative affairs to retire
• Faculty, staff recognized at Honors Day celebration
• UNT study says gaps in baseball players' salaries may lead to losing seasons
• Spring commencement ceremonies May 11
• UNT professor on a 3-D mission
• UNT entrepreneurship student wins prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship
• UNT leads Texas in number of students winning Goldwater Scholarships

homepage