Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus NYSP students perform a group nutrition exercise.

A student learns to throw a frisbee for disc golfing at last year’s NYSP.

Gustavus Adolphus College is currently hosting the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), which is taking place from July 7 through July 26, 2008.

This year’s NYSP at Gustavus is a three-week academic and athletic enrichment program for approximately 150 pre-registered youth ages 10-16 from low-income families living within a 45-mile radius of St. Peter. The camp is free of charge for all camp participants.

“This program provides an opportunity for healthy, constructive activities at no cost to the youth or their families,” says Rita Curtin, 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 fifth year at Gustavus, NYSP is focusing on two areas: the “Learning is Fun” Academy, which will explore science, healthy living, reading, real-life application of mathematics, team building opportunities, creative writing, art, and drama; and Fitness Centers, which provide youth with team and individual activities in such sports as soccer, swimming, basketball, volleyball, flag football, tennis and golf. All youth will participate in swimming lessons relative to their level of skill and fitness/yoga to learn about relaxation and how fitness stimulates the brain.

Throughout the camp there is a focus on making healthy choices, as they relate to such things as nutrition, peer pressure, and alcohol and drug use. Prior to camp, each participant receives, at no cost, a medical screening with appropriate follow-up.

NYSP is participating in the externally funded Summer Food Service Program, which provides daily breakfast and lunch for campers.

NYSP at Gustavus began five years ago and has continued 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,” Curtin says.

Gustavus continues to be one of only two NYSP programs in Minnesota and now is one of 50 at locations in 30 states. NYSP is a 39-year-old national initiative that, when federally supported, helped fund 200 summer programs at colleges and universities throughout the country.

For more information contact Rita Curtin, Gustavus’s NYSP director, at 507-933-6410.