Learning a new sport? Don’t sweat it

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, includ ing 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 trans fer 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 camara derie 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 sharp en 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. Cunningham’s ATA Martial Arts Though taekwondo is highly physical, Stuart Cunningham said the sport is about more than just kicks and jumps — it’s about person al 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 students stay fit, teaches self defense, coor dination, 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, stu dents 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 confi dence in the process.

For more information and a class sched ule, visit https://www.cunninghamsma. com/programs or call (406) 556-8792. Bozeman Sports Camp 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 -

The camp offers traditional sports like soccer, baseball, football and volleyball, while also offering tennis, Frisbee, bowling and more. Campers will swim three to four days a week, with swim instruction available. Full-day camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while half-day camps run from either 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For session dates, registra tion fees, camp descriptions, what to bring and more, visit bozemansports.camp or call (406) 661-5496.

Bridger Creek Golf Course

For children looking to up their golf game, Bridger Creek Golf Course is offering several sum mer camps for ages four and up. Younger kids can join the PeeWees for four 45-minute lessons to introduce them to the fun games of golf. With a 5:1 student ratio, the young golfer will learn athletic skills, putting, chipping, bunker shots, full swing, etiquette and safety. Turf Mites offers a total of four hours for kids ages seven to 15, and junior golfer is for kids ages six to 17. Half and full day camps area available. Kids do a lot more than just golfing, said Jon McAleer, head golf profession al. There’s dodgeball for the first 15 minutes or so, and then kids go over golf etiquette before teeing up.

For more information on

Synchro Summer Camp

Bozeman StingRays will be offer ing its Synchro Summer Camp for kids six years old and older. Dates for the camp were being worked out by press time, but should be available online soon.

For more information visit bozemansynchro.org or call (406) 518-1209.

Bozeman Parks and Recreation

Your child is sure to find their niche through Bozeman Parks and Rec reation’s summer camps. Camp themes range from everything from French immersion programs for the Paris-loving bunch to “Bozeman Anglers,” where kids can learn how to fish. Kids can learn how to swim, become better per forming artists, forage and paint — the sky’s the limit. Activities are available to parents and seniors as well.

The weeklong summer camps are offered from June to August. Camps go Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each week of camps cost $182 for Bozeman residents and $255 for nonresi dents, with lunch included.

For a complete list of avail able activities, visit bozemanrecreation.activityreg.com/clientpage_t2.wcs and click on the link to open the program guide. The guide will provide information on registration, fees and schedules.

WHERE KIDS COME FIRST APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) IS AN EVIDENCE BASED THERAPY AND CAN HELP:

- IMPROVE COMMUNICATION - BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS AND POSITIVE INTERACTIONS - GAIN SELF-HELP SKILLS - LEARN TO COPE WITH BIG FEELINGS - DECREASE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS