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In 1968, representatives from the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports piloted the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) concept during the summer at two university athletic facilities. On March 17, 1969, the White House announced the federal government was committing $3 million to establish a sports program for economically disadvantaged youth, and NYSP was born. Today, NYSP is facilitated through the non-profit National Youth Sports Corporation (NYSC).

After 37 successful years of bi-partisan support, NYSP was cut from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services federal budget for 2006. In Oregon, our elected officials including Senator Ron Wyden, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and Congressman David Wu supported community efforts to try to get the program restored at the federal level. The effort was not successful.

In Portland, Oregon, Portland State University in partnership with the Police Activities League (PAL) has provided NYSP to local youth since 1993. Since the first year, when now-Gresham Mayor Charles Becker was the first NYSP Project Administrator (while a physical education professor at Portland State) to today when PAL Executive Director Maura White-Cioeta spearheads the efforts, more than $614,000 in federal support and $1.6 million in community matching support has provided more than 3,500 Portland area youth with a quality athletic, recreational and educational enrichment camp experience. Furthermore, all youth receive access to free medical exams by pediatric residents from OHSU and other local doctors, daily transportation, and two nutritious USDA-funded meals. Police officers from the School Police Division supplement staffing and provide Gang Resistance Education and Training.

Thanks to cost savings from prior years, NYSC is able to provide 50 sites with limited funds to offer NYSP. Nearly 200 sites applied, and Portland, Oregon was selected to receive funds for 2006. "The Police Activities League has the well-deserved reputation for providing our community's youth outstanding opportunities to participate in fun, safe, and educational summer activities," said Portland State University President Daniel O. Bernstine. "This continued funding is critical to the program's success, and Portland State University is proud to serve as a partner."

With a grant of $40,000 compared to $66,000 in 2005, NYSP will be cut from five weeks to four weeks this year and an average daily attendance of 225 low-income youth is expected. PAL and Portland State are searching for additional funds to pay for increased transportation costs and youth stipends for workers to help serve breakfast and lunch. “Returning staff were willing to take pay cuts or find other resources just to make sure the camp happened this year,” said former camper and current Camp Director Damon Miller. “Kids can’t wait to come back to campus each summer.”

NYSP runs Monday–Friday, June 29 – July 28, 2006, from 8 am-2 p.m. daily. In addition to PAL and Portland State, partners for 2006 include the Oregon National Guard, OSU Extension Service, Portland Police Bureau, Metro Community Enhancement Fund, Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT), U.S. Attorney’s Office and Community Capacity Development Office, Oregon Health Sciences University, and the Blazers.

Portland State University provides access to numerous resources including the NIKE field, gyms, wrestling rooms, the dance room, swimming pool, and classrooms across campus. Chartered buses, supported in part through funding by Weed & Seed projects and a city grant, transport youth to and from camp from target areas from North, Northeast Portland, and Southeast Portland, East County, Troutdale and Gresham. Upon arrival, youth are separated into six groups by age, and rotate through four sessions of sports and education after breakfast each day. Instruction is offered in sports including swimming, basketball, tennis, bowling, martial arts, dance, and soccer. Interactive/hands-on educational sessions are provided to all youth on topics such as GREAT, health and nutrition, career opportunities, alcohol and drug abuse resistance, higher education and disease prevention. Lunch and a bus ride home conclude the day. For more information, please contact PAL, 503-823-0250, or go to www.palkids.org.

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Contacts:
Maura K. White-Cioeta, (503)-823-0250
Portland Activities League

Rochelle Taylor, (317)-829-5777
National Youth Sports Corporation