The Gustavus Adolphus College campus is again abuzz with more than 150 area youth who are participating in a unique three-week academic and athletic enrichment program called National Youth Sports Program (NYSP). In its fourth year, the Gustavus NYSP program brings children ages 10-16, from low-income families, to day camp from July 9 through July 28.
“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. “The student participants have a chance to interact with youth from other communities. They also benefit from improved confidence in social, athletic, and academic settings.”
This year’s program focus is in 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 explores reading, mathematics, and health through hands-on activities.
This summer the students in Gustavus’ NYSP are from Arlington, Belle Plaine, Cleveland, Eagle Lake, Gaylord, Green Isle, Janesville, Jordan, Lake Crystal, Le Center, Le Sueur, Kasota, Madelia, Mankato, Montgomery, New Prague, Nicollet, North Mankato, St. James, St. Peter, and Waseca.
Gustavus began NYSP four years ago and has continued it even though federal funding has ceased. It is now funded by Gustavus and local donations. “Community partners are an incredibly important part of Gustavus being able to continue to offer these programs,” Bode says.
Gustavus is one of only two NYSP programs in Minnesota this year and one of 50 at locations in 30 states. NYSP is a 39-year-old national initiative that has supported 200 summer programs at colleges and universities throughout the country.
As a way to help campers become more interested in the long-term goals of education, Gustavus has collected more than 500 books that will be distributed and sent home with each student who participates in this summer’s program.
The Gustavus NYSP program is a participant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Breakfast and lunch are 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.
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