Registration set for youth sports program at Coastal
The five-week program provides a curriculum of physical activity, fitness, swimming, noncompetitive and competitive sports, adventure activities, health education, and life skills/personal growth. The program is designed for children from low-income families and is free to qualified participants. Participants are provided with a lunch, a physical exam, t-shirts and quality instruction.
Enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the program accommodates 200 participants. Registration and physicals begin Saturday, May 22 at noon at the Williams-Brice Center on the Coastal campus. A second date for registration and health exams is scheduled for Thursday, June 3, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The NYSP is funded with a $52,500 grant for the second year at Coastal. The program provides low-income children with academic preparation and instruction designed to improve their physical activity and health habits. In addition, the program also acquaints participants with career and educational opportunities within a university setting. The program emphasizes the development of self-responsibility, self-esteem and leadership skills through participation in sports and physical activity.
Last summer, Coastal partnered with Horry County schools to target high need students in the Conway area. An average of more than 160 children ages 10 to 16 attended the program daily, guided by an instructional/counseling staff including 12 Coastal students and student-athletes. The 2003 program successfully engaged the local community with donated goods and in-kind contributions, such as transportation, meals and special events.
For more information, contact Gib Darden, at 349-2808 or gfdarden@coastal.edu.