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SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE 2020
LEARNING A NEW SPORT? DON’T SWEAT IT!
BY: ABBY LYNES
One of the best ways to teach your child how to be a team player, take wins and losses graciously and love moving their body is by trying out a sport. Sports teach children invaluable life skills that they can use on and off the field, including teamwork, cooperation, communication and coordination — the list could go on and on. A pat on the back, a thumbs-up or hearing a parent cheering them on can do wonders for a child’s self-esteem; the benefits of sports are not to be underestimated. It can also help with a child’s learning: while some may think playing sports would distract a young athlete from schoolwork, the memorization, repetition and learning skills that come with sports easily transfer to the classroom. Aside from the obvious health benefit of helping your child reach their fitness goals, sports also encourage healthy decision-making like choosing to not smoke or drink, according to
University of Missouri Healthcare. Sports also have hidden health benefits. They can reduce the chance of getting osteoporosis or breast cancer later in life, and it’s also a natural way of reducing pressure and stress. The camaraderie that comes with being on a team can also give your child a support system and aid them in making lifelong friendships. There’s no shortage of sports camps in the Gallatin Valley, with options to suit almost any sport your child may want to try out, or sharpen their skills in. Whether you’ve got a child with pro-athlete dreams or one who just wants to dribble around a basketball hoop with friends, there’s a little something for everyone.
students stay fit, teaches self defense, coordination, and balance, and it gives them a positive and supportive community of friends, he said. Students as young as four are welcome to partake in the summer season. Because of the way the levels of taekwondo are set up, students may advance at their own pace. Students are judged by their age and experience level, Cunningham said. They may test for rank when they are ready, he said, gaining confidence in the process. For more information and a class schedule, visit https://www.cunninghamsma. com/programs or call (406) 556-8792.
Cunningham’s ATA Martial Arts
Bozeman Sports Camp
Though taekwondo is highly physical, Stuart Cunningham said the sport is about more than just kicks and jumps — it’s about personal development. “No other summer activity can teach virtues like courtesy, respect and discipline the way taekwondo can,” said Stuart Cunningham, sixth degree black belt master at Cunningham’s ATA Martial Arts. It also helps
For the child still testing out the waters and trying to figure out which sport is best for them, Bozeman Sports Camp may be the perfect fit. Bozeman Sports Camp opened in 2016, and it offers sessions in June, July and August. “We provide fun and engaging activities, games, and instruction covering sports of all kinds,” camp cofounder Eric Fisher said. “Our instruc-
