Youth Sport Camps are in full swing again on the Colorado State University campus. The 12-week program runs from May 31 to Aug. 19 and includes 13 different sports and activities for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. There are also counselor-in-training opportunities for kids aged 14 to 17.

The camp provides plenty for youngsters to do, with the option to sign up for as little as one week or as much as all 12 weeks. The camp offers one-week sessions in more traditional sports such as baseball/softball, basketball, field sports, inline hockey, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball, but also features programs that teach aerobic dance, martial arts and healthy eating and lifestyles.

One of the more popular camps for older kids (age 10 and over) is the Colorado Adventure Camp. This camp lets kids experience all that Colorado has to offer: hiking, biking, rock climbing, slacklining and more.

Ultimately, the goal of the Youth Sport Camps is to promote a fun, healthy lifestyle early in a child’s life with different sports and activities.

“I love watching the kids’ skill levels and understanding of the game increase,” said Erin Butki, baseball/softball camp coordinator and wife of Youth Sport Camps Director Brian Butki. “I really enjoy just watching them have fun.”

For kids who are less competitive, the camp offers FunLIFE and Music and Movement. FunLIFE is a program that combines sports and physical activity with healthy lessons and curriculum. Music and Movement teaches kids aerobic dance, rhythms and martial arts.

“I enjoy encouraging kids to get out and be active,” said political science student and camp counselor Hayden King. “It’s not about the competition, it’s about getting out and having fun.”

The camp counselors get just as much out of the experience as the kids do. Students from any major can apply to become a camp counselor, and the program can provide insight into potential future professions.

“I want to work in physical therapy and gerontology, so on the other end of the aging spectrum,” said health and exercise student and camp counselor Carah Weed, “but it’s really rewarding to connect with these kids and see their skills progress as well.”

The camp is designed to be progressive and independent, meaning campers of all skill levels can sign up for one or several sessions of the same activity. Each session may include kids at a variety of ages — some will have never tried a sport before and some will have been playing for years.

“I really enjoy watching the young ones that have never played sports before,” said health and exercise science student and camp counselor Kelsey Cisarik. “Some of them come in very shy and by the end of five days, they’ve developed tremendously and made new friends.”

The Youth Sport Camps are a great opportunity for kids to build new relationships and communication skills.

“My favorite part of sports camp is meeting new people and making new friends,” said camp participant Aaron, 11.

A typical camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with sport specific lessons in the morning, swimming and a movie in the afternoon and a scrimmage at the end of the day.

“Lunch and swimming are my favorite,” said camp participant Eden, 9. “I like eating and going on the diving board!”

Slots are still available in some camps. To learn more and to register for Youth Sport Camps, visit http://hes.chhs.colostate.edu/outreach/ysc/. The Department of Health and Exercise Science is in the College of Health and Human Sciences.