Low-Income Youths Come for Summer to Experience College Life

This summer 300 low-income youths from Yolo and Solano counties will be given a racket, a ball and a preview of college education at UC Davis. UC Davis joins 174 other colleges around the country in helping economically disadvantaged youths ages 10 to 16. The National Youth Sports Program requires that students receive the five-week summer school for free. At least 90 percent of the participants meet federal poverty standards. The school officially begins June 19, but this Saturday, June 3, the children, along with their parents, will attend a kick-off program on the Russell Intramural Field that includes a physical examination and sports activities. Campus and city administrators (including Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef and Davis Mayor Dave Rosenberg) will speak on the value of this national program. The program uses sports instruction and competition as a vehicle to enhance self-esteem and respect, according to Al Beaird, UC Davis sports camp director. The national sports program annually provides about 65,000 American disadvantaged youths the opportunity to benefit from resources made available by a $47,000 matching grant from the NCAA.