Wittenberg University to Host Second National Youth Sports Program Camp

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Wittenberg University to Host Second
National Youth Sports Program Camp

Posted May 31, 2002
Posted by: Ryan Maurer

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - For a second straight year, the Wittenberg University campus will be alive with the sounds of hundreds of young people participating in a five-week summer camp as part of the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP).

A grant of more than $105,000 by the NYSP Fund and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is funding a variety of athletic and educational activities, including swimming, soccer, arts and crafts, and field trips, for hundreds of young people during a camp that is scheduled to run June 3 through July 5. The camp's instructors and organizers are all representatives of Wittenberg University, including coaches and student-athletes from its 22 varsity teams.

The grant is administered by the NYSP Fund, which combines funding from the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Wittenberg's camp is modeled after others operated by approximately 200 colleges and universities around the nation, and it provides a structured athletic and life skills program for area youths ages 10-16. There is no cost to campers to participate daily from 7:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m.

"This year's staff is extremely excited about the start of camp, as we have added some new outside resources to enhance the camp's offerings," said Garnett Purnell, Wittenberg University director of athletics and recreation. "We're working with the Springfield Police Department, Springfield City Schools and the National Trail Parks and Recreation District to create a quality experience for underprivileged boys and girls."

The program has two major parts: athletic and enrichment. Athletic activities offered are those with potential for lifelong benefits, including tennis, swimming, softball, golf, dance, racquetball and track.

Enrichment activities take place each day in Wittenberg classrooms and take advantage of area resources, such as the COSI Science Center and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Activities are aimed at teaching young people better nutrition, disease prevention, personal health, math, science, alcohol and drug prevention, crafts, college success, career opportunities and many others in a fun and interesting environment.

"It is a rewarding experience for everyone involved," said Becky Hall, Wittenberg University softball coach and an instructor/counselor for the camp. "The kids and counselors both get a lot out of it."

Wittenberg was only the second NCAA Division III college in Ohio to take on the NYSP camp for the benefit of its community when it started the program a year ago.

"The camp is great for Wittenberg and Springfield," said Mark Henninger, Wittenberg University assistant football coach and an instructor/counselor for the camp. "I was amazed last year when I heard the number of people in the community that have never been on Wittenberg's campus. The school has so much to offer the city of Springfield, and this camp gives good young people - maybe some future student-atheletes - the opportunity to experience a little of what Wittenberg has to offer."

Among the other Ohio educational institutions that host NYSP camps are the University of Akron, University of Toledo, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University and The Ohio State University.

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