UMaine host for youth sports program

A year ago, Stephen Butterfield found himself scrambling to put together the curriculum for the first National Youth Sports Program for underprivileged youngsters, which was held at the University of Maine.

Butterfield, the coordinator of the university’s division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and the school were awarded the program in April and it began in July. One hundred fifty youngsters benefited from the day program that features a variety of sports instruction and educational activities.

Butterfield has had a year to work on the curriculum and has formulated a priority list for this year’s five-week program, which gets under way next Monday.

“We’re sinking a lot of our resources into outdoor education, things like canoeing, land navigation (skills) and ropes courses,” said Butterfield. “We’re also going to put a lot of money into swimming.

“You aren’t going to teach a kid how to play basketball, tennis or baseball in five weeks, although we will still offer those sports. But we feel we can teach a kid how to swim well in five weeks,” explained Butterfield.

The program is a partnership between the federal government, colleges and universities, the NCAA and local communities. The NCAA receives a block grant from the Department of Health and Human Services for the program.

The program began in 1968 and is offered at more than 175 colleges and universities. It is open to boys and girls ages 10-16 whose parents or guardians meet Department of Health and Human Services’ income guidelines.

It is free to those who qualify and transportation is provided for youngsters who live up to an hour away from Orono.

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided this year. Box lunches were provided a year ago.

In order to receive funding – this year’s grant is $47,000 – there must be an average daily attendance of 200 campers. Last year’s average of 150 was overlooked due to the short preparation time.

Butterfield has 290 registrations so far and anybody else interested can look into registering by calling him at 581-2466.

Butterfield said last year’s inaugural program was a success.

“We received a lot of positive feedback from the parents as well as the kids’ teachers,” said Butterfield. “This is for kids who can’t afford to go to the Black Bear camps. This serves a population that we haven’t reached here at the university, at least in sports. And these kids follow the Black Bear teams as closely as anybody else.

“Having them on campus, they realize that it is their university and it gives them a chance to be a part of it,” added Butterfield.

The local medical community has been helpful in providing services, according to Butterfield. He said he would welcome other volunteers, including community leaders; nutrition, health and substance abuse instructors; and those individuals willing to donate sports equipment and sports-related items such as T-shirts and sweat socks suitable to be given out as awards.