August 11, 2011
Yale University
2011 Summer Newsletter NYSP Caps of Successful 16th Year
- The New York group at Dance Class On July 5th Yale‟s National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) kicked off for its 16th consecutive year. The camp, which featured 200 campers from around New Haven, ran for the four weeks of July. The 200 campers were split up into eight different groups, named after states and grouped by age, such as “New York” for eight year olds, and “New Jersey” for thirteen and fourteen year olds, with ages in the camp ranging from eight to fourteen. The campers participated in many activities equaling many days of fun!
Campers rotated around the different sports and activities with their groups daily. Every day consisted of four activity/sports periods and a lunch. Lunch was served at the Yale Hall of Graduate Studies Dining Hall, where the campers were served a USDA approved lunch. Favorites items included chicken nuggets and ice cream. The sports in which the campers received instruction were: softball, basketball, football, swimming, dance, kickball, and football. The campers also received
alcohol and drug awareness classes in addition to education classes where they participated in hands on educational activities. One day the groups were taught how to make homemade ice cream in plastic bags. Needless to say it was a big hit with the campers! Another big hit with the campers was the boathouse. The oldest group had the opportunity to go out to the Yale Boathouse to learn how to row on several occasions. The lessons began inside and then concluded on the water. The campers thoroughly enjoyed their
field trips. Several campers who have been part of NYSP for several years and were in the oldest group this year noted the field trips as one of the perks to being in the oldest group. The last week of camp featured many fun activities. First, on Wednesday of the last week was the annual talent/fashion show to showcase the talents of the campers. For more information on the talent show, see page two! The camp concluded with a celebratory Camp Olympics on July 29th which included Olympic style competitions such as an egg toss and an obstacle race. For more on the Camp Olympics, see page four! The staff planned and oversaw all the fun activities. NYSP camp director Faeisha Morrison led an experienced an enthusiastic
NYSP team of over thirty, including several Yale student-athletes and students from other local universities and high schools. The staff worked as a cohesive unit with freedom given to the various sports instructors to create their own lesson plans for each day. This meant for unique and exciting things for campers to do at all of the activities— keeping campers engaged and interested. When asked what the best part of camp was, Julante James Newton, 8, exclaimed, “the coaches! I loved my coaches. They helped me learn new things and helped me with sports!” The talented staff members and enthusiastic campers combined to make NYSP‟s 16th season a very successful one.
NYSP History—National Roots; Local Preservation The National Youth Sports Program is a national initiative which was undertaken by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and its member institutions in 1969. The objectives of the program were to expand opportunities for the community youth by giving them the chance to play sports and receive instruction in differ-
ent sports and also to enable NCAA schools to be more actively involved in their communities. The program began receiving funding from the national government (through an amendment to the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act) in 1972. The government selected institutions to host the summer camp, and then gave the various institutions funding
to do so. Yale was lucky to be chosen as one of the institutions, and thus began Yale‟s National Youth Sports program sixteen years ago. In total, 2 million campers are estimated to have attended an NYSP in one of the over 200 colleges that have participated in the program over the last forty years. At the peak of NYSP, Congress provided $15 million
yearly to run the camps nationwide. Unfortunately, in 2005 Congress stopped providing funds to NYSP. However, some institutions continued the programs using private funding. Thanks to funding from the university and local donors the program is still going strong at Yale today. Yale University‟s
President, Richard C. Levin, Yale athletic director, Thomas Beckett, former camp administrator and assistant athletic director Tim Ford, and other leaders behind the scenes of NYSP recognize the great benefits of the camp and have worked to ensure it is preserved. It is thanks to their efforts that the camp remains at Yale.
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2011 SUMMER NEWSLETT ER
Camper Spotlight KAYLA POTEETE
JAYDEN CLARK
-Kayla (left) and Khalia Hendrix, at the Talent/Fashion Show Age: 9 School: Elm City College Prep Elementary Group: Connecticut Favorite Activity at Camp: Any activity outside. Also, volleyball Favorite Memory from Camp: Watching the Talent Show, “because I got to see all the talents everyone has!”
Age: 8 School: Highville Mustard Seed Charter School Favorite Activity in School: Any activity in a group Group: New York Favorite Activity at Camp: Kickball Favorite Memory from Camp: “One day in kickball when we got to the activity early. We got extra time in kickball, and everyone got to kick the ball a lot, so everyone was really happy!”
SANDY FLORES Age: 11 School: Nathan Hale School Favorite Class in School: Gym Group: Alabama Favorite Activity at Camp: Soccer Favorite Memory from Camp: “When we went swimming and they [swim coaches] taught me how to swim, because I didn‟t know before then, but now I know!” Particularly floating, and putting [my] head down when swimming.
JULANTE JAMES NEWTON Age: 9 School: Shepherd Glenn School Favorite Class in School: Science Group: Connecticut Favorite Activity at Camp: Kickball, swimming, basketball Favorite Memory from Camp: “Running around and making shots. Especially when the coaches would help us with our free throws!”
-Swim coach Patrick Killian, current Yale Swimmer, class of 2014, teaches a camper how to float
2011 Talent/Fashion Show is a Big Hit Every year, NYSP holds a talent/fashion show to showcase the talents of the campers. This year, due to construction at Payne Whitney Gymnasium the Talent Show was held at Sterling Law Building. There were twenty talent acts in addition to the fashion show and the camp dance. The talents in the show ranged from singing and dancing to instrumentals and gymnastics. The event also featured a live DJ. Family and friends came out to watch the show which was Wednesday evening during the last week of camp. Sandy Flores (see camper spotlight above) performed in the show. She sang “Fireworks” by Katy Perry—a song which she also performed last year at the NYSP Talent Show. Despite the familiarity of the song, Sandy admits to being nervous. However, she wanted to do the piece in front of the large audience because she felt it taught an important message. “I [felt] like I should
be teaching a lesson about bullying by getting up in front of all those people,” Sandy explains, “because the song by Katy Perry teaches a lesson as well.” Sandy‟s hard work with the song paid off when she finished and the entire auditorium exploded in cheers. Jayden Clark (see camper spotlight above) also performed in the show. He sang
-Camp Dance at the Talent Show
“Who‟s Loving You,” by the Jackson 5. Before he came on stage the campers cheered loudly in anticipation, which excited him. Although Jayden admitted that more than anything before he got on stage he was “kind of nervous.” However, he has had lots of experience that helped him prepare for the night. Singing since he was five, he often sang in church, which helped him prepare to sing in
front of a large audience. “The best part,” stated Jayden “was the first part or the end, when my voice just sounded really good.” Next year, Jayden wants to either sing in the talent show or, he exclaimed, “Next year I might try out the Fashion Show!” The Fashion Show continued on page 3
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Staff Spotlight
“For me, the most rewarding part of NYSP was being able to teach campers activities and keep them more active than they would have been outside of camp. Through being a counselor, I learned how important it is to communicate with your campers.” -Mollie, pictured above with some of her campers
MOLLIE CARBO
TERRI DAVIS
Role in Camp: Counselor for the New York Group (8 year olds) Year in School: Junior in college School: Southern Connecticut State University Major: Nursing Future Plans: Become a pediatric oncologist Hometown: East Haven, CT Years in NYSP: 1 Favorite activity in NYSP: Waterpark Favorite Camp Memory: Camp War
Role in Camp: Softball Coach Year in School: Junior School: Johnson & Wales University Providence Major: Sports Entertainment Event Management Future Plans: Manage or own a professional athletic team Hometown: New Haven, CT Years in NYSP: 5 Favorite part of NYSP: the campers - Terri with campers Smaje and Jada Favorite Camp Memory: Playing softball with the older group
Talent/Fashion Show (continued) continued from page 2 was also a big hit. Occurring in the middle of the talent acts and just after intermission, it featured over twenty campers and several counselors and was organized by the volleyball coach, Lapriah Morrison, who
also ran the Talent Show. The campers, who brought outfits from home for the show, walked the aisles of the Sterling Law Building Auditorium which had been turned into a giant runway. The crowd went crazy for the campers, particularly when
they got to the front of the auditorium where they would, in true runway fashion, do a pose and cross the stage and go down the runway on the other side. The talent/fashion show concluded with a campdance, which also featured over
Camp Concludes with Field Day and Camp Olympics The camp ended with watch the fierce competition with extra spirit and groups who an action packed day of excite- amongst the groups. The comall wore the same color. After ment on the fields with the petition was intense, with extra the Olympic events was an Camp Olympics. Campers com- points being awarded to groups awards ceremony where each peted in Olympic style competitions such as an egg toss and an obstacle race. The eight different groups competed for best times in the different events with the Virginia group, which consisted of 10 and 11 year olds, ending up victorious. The day also featured a barbeque where family and friends were invited --Team Alabama during Camp Olympics. Photo by: Michael Marsland to come, eat, and
twenty of the campers. The campers danced to the song “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce. The dance, which was a great success, was choreographed by the camp dance coach, Shlena Morrison. And with that the Talent/Fashion show concluded, with good times being had by all.
of the sports instructors honored three campers for “best participant” in their given sport. Additionally, the group counselors awarded prizes to the top male and female participants in each of their groups. The overall campers of the year were also awarded (see page 4). The group of the year was also named, with that honor going to the 10 year olds group of Florida. They were overjoyed to hear the announcement that they had won. However, every camper came away a winner, having had fun and having learned new sporting techniques!
NYSP Creed I am a good sport at all times and conduct myself with decency and honesty. I do my best to get along with others and have pride in myself. I put forth my best effort in all competition and always compete fairly.
Walk tall, talk tall, stand tall!
Campers of the Year Every year, two Campers of the Year is chosen. A boy is chosen for this honor, and so is a girl. The auxiliary staff along with the sports instructors decide which campers best exemplify the ideas stated in the creed, and then award these campers with Campers of the Year. The Campers of the Year both won new laptops. This year, the award recipients were Brianna Cummings and Brian Aparicio, both of the New Jersey group. Staff members were impressed with the hard work and dedication of both recipients—stating that they never had a problem with them, and they were always excited and enthusiastic in addition to being great leaders in the camp. Here is more about these exceptional campers— Brianna Cummings is a 13 year old recent graduate of Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School, who intends to use her new laptop next year when she starts high
Most enjoyable part of NYSP: “Softball. Also, I liked this year because, since we were older, the sports were better and we got to go on field trips. Going to the boathouse was really fun!” Useful skills learned through NYSP: “Communication skills definitely. At NYSP you need to be able to communicate with lots of different people.” Brian Aparicio is a 14 year old recent graduate of Hamden Middle School who plans on using his new laptop for schoolwork when he starts at Hamden High in the fall. Most enjoyable part of NYSP: “The sports! Basketball was my favorite.” Useful skills learned through NYSP: “Swimming. It is an important skill to know. Also, learning to play sports, like basketball, is very important. If you don‟t learn how to play a sport you miss out on being able to play it. You would have to ask questions, etc. to play.”
A big thank you from all of us at NYSP to everyone who made camp possible!
For additional information contact: Faiesha Morrison yalenysp@gmail.com (203) 432-7413 Or visit our website at www.yalebulldogs.com —> community —> NYSP
Special Thanks to Campus Customs CDW City of New Haven Department of Children & Families Donald Scharf „55 Hall of Graduate Studies Dining Hall Staff Hummel Brothers Inc. New Haven Board of Education NYSP Advisory Board Payne Whitney Gymnasium Staff Thomas W. Ford „42 Community Outreach Program USDA Summer Food Service Program Walter Camp Football Foundation Yale Community Rowing Yale Department of Athletics Yale Training Room Staff Yale University Office of New Haven & State Affairs Yale University President‟s Office City of New Haven Youthat-Work