Resources for assessing the benefits and drawbacks of a youth sports program include:
• American Academy of Pediatrics, <a href="http://aap.org">http://aap.org</a>
• Centers for Disease Control, <a href="http://cdc.gov">http://cdc.gov</a>
• Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University <a href="http://www.educ.msu.edu/ysi">http://www.educ.msu.edu/ysi</a>
• National Alliance for Youth Sports, <a href="http://nays.org">http://nays.org</a>
• President's Council on Physical Fitness, <a href="http://fitness.gov">http://fitness.gov</a>
• Rutgers University Youth Sports Research Council, <a href="http://youthsports.rutgers.edu/resources">http://youthsports.rutgers.edu/resources</a>
Later in the year, five girls from Clark County traveled to Alabama and ran to an eighth-place team finish at the Junior Olympics cross country nationals.
Those performances made for a good coming-out party for the Evergreen Storm Track Club, a Vancouver-based team that formed in 2009 to give young athletes a place to train and compete outside of their school seasons.
Clark County youths travel far and wide to engage in sports ranging from equestrian competition to martial arts. Many pursue soccer, volleyball, baseball and other championships at the state, regional and national levels.
But those journeys begin at home.
Recent studies point to a variety of benefits for children who participate in organized sports. Among those benefits are developing confidence, learning physical skills, acquiring an interest in lifetime leisure sports, a sense of belonging and an appreciation for fitness.
Of course, just plain fun is perhaps the most important reason for children to play sports.
Finding the sports programs that best fit a child’s interests and skills can be a challenge. The variety of sports and programs available seems to grow each year. The choices include both team sports such as soccer and baseball, and individual sports such as gymnastics and swimming.
The benefits of participating in sports as a child outweigh any risks, experts say.
At a time when television and video games occupy more time for America’s youth, participating in organized sports is a way to establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime, according to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport.
Experts recommend that children try a variety of sports and not be too quick to specialize. In addition to giving children a wide range of experiences and the chance to find the activity they most enjoy, playing more than one sport lessens the risk of repetitive-use injuries. According to several studies, such injuries have become more common in young athletes who focus on a single sport. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends delaying specialization until a child has reached puberty.
The American Academy of Pediatrics website, http://aap.org, is a good resource for information on many topics related to kids and sports, including injury prevention and treatment.
Find the right program
When looking for sports programs for a child, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness recommends parents spend time with their child playing different recreational sports and activities.
A pamphlet available on the council’s Web site (http://fitness.gov) explains that a child is more likely to enjoy and thrive in a sport if allowed to learn in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere where sport is viewed as recreation.
Once a child has found sports that he or she enjoys, parents can explore more advanced programs.
In Clark County, youth sports programs are available through parks and recreation departments, community education programs, fitness clubs such as the YMCA, and established youth sports programs such as Little League and youth soccer clubs. The number of private teams organized by parents — particularly in baseball and basketball — continues to grow.
Asking friends, classmates, and neighbors about the programs they have enjoyed can be a good starting point — especially when investigating individual activities such as gymnastics or martial arts (which are offered by a wide variety of private studios).
Other questions that experts encourage parents to ask include: What kind of background checks and training do coaches undergo? What is the time commitment involved for games and practices? What is the complete cost of the program, and does it cover insurance? (Many programs offer financial aid). What is the skill level required of someone new to the sport or program?
Parents also can explore the youth sports world by visiting a variety of Web sites, or by contacting any of the many local programs and leagues listed in Portrait.
Timely information is available in the Community Sports Calendar, updated each Tuesday on the Sports page of http://www.columbian.com.
