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Ohio State LiFE Sports Camp & Clinic - Camp Overview
Camp Overview:
The Learning in Fitness and Education through Sports (LiFE Sports) Camp, a sport-based positive youth development summer intervention program,
is a 19-day camp implemented by the OSU Department of Athletics and the College of Social Work for youth ages 9-15 from disenfranchised circumstances
in Columbus, Ohio. Each day social skills are incorporated into sport-based activities. Camp leaders use curricula designed to incorporate these
strategies. Four social skills are specifically targeted throughout the curricula, including self-control, effort, teamwork, and social responsibility,
and each of these skills build upon each other, as suggested in the literature (Durlack & Weissburg, 2007). For example, mastery of the second social
skill, effort, builds upon mastery of self-control.
There are four key social competence skills focused on in LiFE Sports. The first target social skill, self-control, is defined as the ability
to have control of one's self and own actions (Gresham & Elliot, 1990). An individual must first be able to control his or her attitudes and behaviors
before he or she can successfully engage with peers and adults in social settings (Beelmann, Pfingsten, & Lösel, 1994; Hellison, 2003). Other social
skill training models (e.g., Gresham & Elliot, 1990) and sport-based PYD programs (i.e. RM; Hellison, 2003) include this skill within their design.
In the LiFE Sports curricula, self-control is targeted over a series of six sessions. Closely linked to self-control is self-directed behavior and
initiative, also known as effort. Once an individual learns to control actions and behaviors, those actions and behaviors can become more goal
directed and purposeful (Larson, 2000). The LiFE Sports curricula include three sessions on this social skill. Teamwork involves working together
as a group to achieve a common goal or outcome, and is particularly relevant in the sport and academic context (Weinburg & Gould, 1999). Teamwork is
covered over a series of four sessions in the LiFE Sports curricula. Social responsibility involves adherence to social rules and expectations
(Wentzel, 1991), and incorporates an individuals' contribution to the broader society. Self-control, initiative, and teamwork all have a strong tie
with social responsibility. This social skill also is prioritized in the RM program (Hellison, 2003). Four sessions in the curricula focus on this social
skill.
Daily activities incorporate scenarios and role plays where youth practice application of skills in other settings. Sport instruction is provided in the
following areas: basketball, football, lacrosse, health, fitness, soccer, social dance, softball, and swimming. Social skills are embedded within each
of the sport curricula. (To see an overview of the daily curricula, please click here)
Meals and transportation are also provided by OSU. Additionally, there is a 2 hour orientation meeting that educates participants and their
parents/guardians on the goals and curriculum covered.
Finally, following the conclusion of camp, all LiFE Sports youth are invited to participate in six sports clinics held around Columbus, Ohio.
These clinics provide a refresher to youth on not only the sports learned at camp, but also the social skills.
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