Plans are underway for Gustavus Adolphus College to again host the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) from July 10 through July 29, 2006. This year’s NYSP at Gustavus will be a three-week academic and athletic enrichment program for approximately 150 youth ages 10-16 from low-income families living within a 45-mile radius of St. Peter.
“This program provides an opportunity for healthy, constructive activities at no cost to the youth or their families,” says Kathryn Bode, NYSP director at Gustavus, “and they have a chance to interact with youth from other communities. Participants also benefit from improved confidence in social, athletic, and academic settings.”
In its third year at Gustavus, NYSP will focus on two areas: Fitness Centers, which include both team and individual activities such as basketball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, and yoga; and the “Learning is Fun” Academy, which will explore science and health, mathematics, creative writing, art, and drama.
For 2006 there will be 78 NYSP locations in 38 states. Of the 78 programs, 18 — including Gustavus — are supported by local funding.
“Gustavus has made a commitment to continue the program in spite of a reduction of federal grant funding for the NYSP organization,” says Bode.
This year students from Arlington, Belle Plaine, Cleveland, Eagle Lake, Gaylord, Green Isle, Janesville, Jordan, Lake Crystal, LeCenter, LeSueur, Kasota, Madelia, Mankato, Montgomery, New Prague, Nicollet, North Mankato, St. James, St. Peter, and Waseca are eligible for NYSP at Gustavus.
Volunteers are needed for this summer’s NYSP in a variety of capacities. For more information, contact the Gustavus NYSP office (nysp@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7455).
The Gustavus NYSP program is a participant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all eligible participants free of charge. Children who are part of households that receive food stamps or benefit under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to participate.
Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. on the Gustavus campus from July 10 through July 29, 2006.
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