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Trojan KidSCamp Provides Summer Fun
- Gavin Brown, a Trojan KidSCamp participant, keeps his eye on the ball.
- Photo/Nathan Carter
By Alexis Young on July 26, 2010 11:09 AM
For more than 40 years, a summer camp held at USC has been fostering friendships, fun and fitness for economically disadvantaged youth living in neighborhoods around the campus.
The National Youth Sports Program was a federally funded program providing free summer camps to youth on college campuses across the country. In 2006, the program lost its funding, but USC figured out a way to keep it alive.
"It's something the community needs, so rather than let it go, we trimmed the program down from five weeks to three and accept 225 kids instead of 445 to reduce costs," said Arvin Varma, associate director of Recreational Sports and camp coordinator.
USC National Youth Sports Program Trojan KidSCamp offers children ages 9 to 15 a chance to participate in a variety of sports such as martial arts, tennis, golf and volleyball. Field trips to the beach, museums or the Long Beach Aquarium also are included.
"My goal is to provide a safe environment for kids to have fun so they're not sitting in front of the TV," Varma said. "They get nutritious meals, snacks and exercise. We keep their young minds occupied in a positive way."
Activities are spread out across the fields, gyms and pools of campus. Varma hires specialists to facilitate sports sessions for the camp, offering five different sessions each day. The program also has an educational component. This year, campers participated in Lego Robotics and learned to build and program robots.
"When I came here, it was fun," said 10-year-old Joseph Lee as he played tennis with camp counselors. "My favorite activity is tennis, and I'm excited about the field trips. There are enough activities around here to keep me busy."
Varma said some camp counselors have returned each summer for years because they are drawn to the program, as are the children and their parents, who often return year after year.
Jeffrey Dolliole is one of those counselors.
"I attended the camp from age 11 to 15, and it was always fun," he said. "Some of the friends I have now as an adult, I met right here at this camp. When I got too old to be a camper, Arvin gave me the opportunity to work here. I'm 21 now and I keep coming back every summer. It definitely had a positive impact on my life. I now attend Loyola Marymount University, and this camp gives me a way to stay connected to my community."
The camp also attracts a lot of new faces, such as 12-year-old Josh Davis. After one week of being exposed to activities that he had never tried, he already hopes to come back to the camp next year.
"I wasn't sure what it would be like," he said. "I never had a chance to play tennis — it turns out I'm pretty good at it. I also learned the backstroke, and I've met some new friends."
TAGS: community programs, sports
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