03 Oct NFL YET Summer Camp 2013
Summer camp was in full swing at the NFL Youth Education Town (NFL YET) Center at Gwen Cherry Park. Everyone enjoyed the many activities.
Parents and children spoke enthusiastically about the summer camp program. Jannie Drayton, mother of six year old Ja’Niya Grimes, said, “I love it!” In previous summers, her daughter attended another program. However, at the NFL YET Center, her daughter was treated with respect. She found the staff to be very caring and friendly. Her daughter Ja’Niya learned how to bond with the other children. This made Ms. Drayton happy because Ja’Niya, who has an older sister, did well interacting with children her own age. Ms. Drayton liked the summer program so much that she wants her daughter to attend the after school activities at the NFL YET Center during the school year.
Akia Robinson loved the program because of the positive changes that she saw in her three children and the activities in which they participated. She has especially noticed a change in her eight year old son, Mekhi. Usually very active, Mekhi learned how to sit down, behave himself and pay attention. His favorite times were spent in the game room and computer room. Jayden, older son, liked the football and other sports activities. Ms. Robinson’s daughter, Brianna, loved the dance classes. As an added benefit, Ms. Robinson said that all of her children enjoyed time at the park’s outdoor pool. She also found the summer program easy to bring her children to. She added, “I think it is convenient for a working parent.”
Thirteen year old student, Kaia Weeks, likes the program so much that she attended summer camp at the NFL YET Center for the third year in a row. This fall, Kaia became an 8th grader at Mater Academy in Hialeah. Summer camp allowed her to meet new friends from other schools. “It’s fun!,” she said excitedly. Kaia found the academic activities helpful because “We don’t forget stuff.” She also enjoyed the indoor and outdoor activities. She stated, “We walk a mile every morning.” Later in the afternoon, the coach picks a game for them to play.
In addition to the indoor and outdoor activities, there were field trips planned for camp participants. During the summer, students went to the criminal courthouse and participated in a mock trial, toured the John Deering Estate, and also went skating and bowling. For additional exposure, there was a college tour at the University of Miami, where athletes and professionals spoke to the students about careers in medicine, law, sports and other areas.
According to a Miami-Dade County Park staff member, 275 youth registered for this year’s camp. Daily activities were planned by NFL YET Center coaches and additional activities were provided by Communities in Schools, one of the organizations partnering to provide services and activities at the NFL YET Center. Ms. Jennifer Sherrill, an intern working on her master’s degree at FIU, served as a counselor for the summer camp.
At the end of the program, Communities in Schools staff member Eve McKinsey felt that the children gained a lot of educational and social skills during the summer. Coach McKenney, who supervised field trip activities and supervised the tween and junior teen girls, agreed. “Even though its summer camp, [the children] still have to keep focused,” she said.
All of the adults involved in the summer camp worked very hard to provide an educational, yet stimulating and enjoyable program for the participants. Parents were glad that they chose the NFL YET Center’s summer program for their children.