Alternative Programming
Are you innovating or stagnating?
By John Engh
Photos: Nays
This year marked the 20th anniversary of NAYS’ annual Youth Sports Congress. It was great to be able to travel again with staff members to San Antonio, Texas, and see so many dedicated recreational professionals face to face.
One of the highlights of the Congress is presenting the annual Excellence in Youth Sports Awards to deserving organizations that work so hard to provide opportunities for families in their communities. Reading and hearing about the innovative programming offered during the pandemic to help keep kids engaged and active reminded me of some of the challenges NAYS has faced as an organization during the last 40 years.
Of course, NAYS started as a coach-training organization, but I can tell you that, through the years, we have succeeded—and failed—in implementing many different ideas. My dad, who founded the organization in 1981, used to say, “If you don’t innovate, you will stagnate.”
As a leader, I always want everyone on staff to know they can bring any idea related to helping youth-sports programs to me at any time, and it will get a serious look. More times than not, we end up giving it a try. Not everything has worked out, or been financially feasible, but we are always willing to try something new.
And that’s what really stood out with this year’s Excellence recipients. Recreational staffs are encouraged to be innovative and creative, and not to fear failing. And youth are the beneficiaries of this mindset.
Here’s a quick look at some of the programming that was rolled out during the pandemic. Perhaps one (or more) of these program ideas will work well in your community. Or maybe reading about some of these ideas will ignite an idea of your own:
Fun Fridays
The recreation staff at USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Baumholder Youth Sports and Fitness in Germany recognized that many of its participants weren’t ready to commit to long programs, but still needed to be active and have some interaction with peers and recreation staff members. So, Fun Fridays were developed, where once a week kids had the chance to gather for an entertaining afternoon and participate in a safe and new activity. These sessions included a variety of fun activities and an introduction to many non-traditional sports, like bowling, wall climbing, disc golf, and foot golf. Plus, kids had a chance to hang out with friends while maintaining social distancing. Hear more from Youth Sports & Fitness Director Marcel Fisher.
Basketball Bonanza
In the city of Torrance in California, basketball reigns, as more than 2,000 youth participate on more than 200 teams annually. But when the pandemic struck, the recreation staff overhauled the entire program. The biggest switch of all: the indoor program became an outdoor one. Portable hoops were installed in a park, court lines were made with tape, and non-stop fun quickly followed. Plus, due to safety protocols, traditional games with teams were ditched, and a co-ed, basketball-skills clinic took its place, enabling youth who loved basketball to continue playing.
Revving Up The Run Club
Youngsters in Texas are developing a love of running and being fit, thanks to the Run Club program developed by the Fort Hood CYS Youth Sports and Fitness staff. The program includes participants ages 5 to 18, and staff members cater the program curriculum to the varying ages and maturity levels. The hour-long, twice-a-week sessions are packed with a variety of fun activities that include sprints, conditioning, tag games, relays, and track work. The club’s focus is to combine the structure of running as a healthy habit with the excitement of games, activities, and competitions to teach youth how much fun running can be. The club emphasizes social connections and mental resilience, too. The games and activities woven into the sessions encourage youth to interact with one another in positive and uplifting ways to improve their sense of social well-being.
Camp Carousel
At the Yokosuka Naval Fleet Activities in Japan, the recreation staff devised a wide range of sports camps to keep kids engaged and active. The staff held traditional team-sport camps for basketball, baseball, and soccer, and then had some innovative offerings for paintball, mountain biking, and hiking, among others. Nerf battles provided another creative and fun way to get kids running around and being active, while maintaining safe distancing.
John Engh is executive director of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) in West Palm Beach, Fla. He can be reached via email at jengh@nays.org. To join more than 3,000 communities by starting a NAYS Member Organization, visit www.nays.org, email nays@nays.org or call (800) 729-2057.