Youth Sports Camp: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

It's official: the holidays are upon us.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed by, but some of us are still scrambling to find gifts for our loved ones.

Though the winter weather makes it hard to think about summer activities, consider giving the gift of youth sports summer camp to your child this holiday season.  Planning ahead will guarantee the child a spot at the desired camp, as spots are sure to sell out quickly closer to spring.  Plus, it ensures that kids will have something to do when school is out for summer, rather than just sit inside watching TV and playing video games.

Youth sports camps can get pricey, but buying months in advance often allows the opportunity to save money.  Also, knowing the incredible benefits of physical activity for children makes sports camp hard to resist.  Positive effects of youth sports are countless, including:

·         Developing an understanding of teamwork

·         Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through physical activity

·         Building friendships and other social skills

·         Forming a strong sense of confidence and leadership

·         Understanding the importance of putting forth best effort

As a gift, sports camp as a gift is an out-of-the-box idea that gives a child something to look forward to; it's almost like a second gift when summer rolls around and the child remembers he or she gets to go to camp soon!

PLAY 60…GET FIT FOR ACADEMIC REASONS

If you watched any NFL Football this weekend, you could not miss it.

The NFL’s “Play 60” logo is emblazoned on every NFL field and scoreboard.  During TV broadcasts, “Play 60” commercials appear about four times a game.

The NFL’s “Play 60” program challenges kids to be physically active for 60 minutes-a-day doing anything they love…as long as they are moving.  Both individuals and schools are challenged to get involved.

The purpose is twofold.  Certainly there are childhood obesity factors--a national problem.

Equally important are the significant academic, concentration and mood benefits derived from regular physical activity. 

As proven in the Active Living Research study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, there is direct correlation between active living on academic performance.  For example, with physical activity, academic performance improves, as does cognitive performance and overall classroom behavior.  Read the entire study here.

Also visit the NFL Play 60’s website to learn more: http://www.nflrush.com/play60/.