Pal Offers Summer Athletic Activities

Kids who enjoy sports may be able to attend the free National Youth Sports Program from June 29 to July 28.

Registration applications are available through the Police Athletics League. Call 503-823-0250 or visit the Web site, www.palkids.org.

The daylong program runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students are transported to and from the program, centered at Portland State University, where they rotate through four sessions of sports and education classes. Instruction is offered in swimming, basketball, tennis, bowling, martial arts, dance and soccer.

Interactive and hands-on educational sessions are provided to all youth on topics including health and nutrition, career opportunities, alcohol and drug abuse resistance, higher education and disease prevention. Lunch and a bus ride home conclude the day.

Police officers from the School Police Division supplement staffing and provide gang resistance education and training.
Kids also receive free medical exams by pediatric residents from Oregon Health & Science University and other local doctors, as well as free breakfast and lunch.

More than 3,500 Portland area youth have participated in the program since its inception in 1969.