SUBMITTED PHOTO Participants of Healthy Kids Day at the Marshalltown YMCA in May engage in a rousing game of soccer. Children who are enrolled in the new Youth Sports Sampler Camp in July will get the opportunity to learn about soccer, along with basketball, flag football, baseball and more.

With school no longer in session, sometimes it can be difficult to find things for kids to do, especially when both parents are working jobs. Rest assured, there are some day camps at the Marshalltown YMCA this summer which will provide the children with fun, friendship and opportunity to get active.

The Youth Sports Sampler Camp is a brand–new program offered at the Y. Marketing and Communications Director Andrew Potter said there are different sports included in the camp — basketball, flag football, softball, baseball, soccer and kickball.

“They can try a different sport each day,” he said. “This came up as we want to have a laid–back way to expose different sports to children. Instructors will focus on building fundamentals, teamwork, body control and hand–eye coordination.”

The exposure will give children the knowledge of the basics of each sport, and will give them a chance to develop a taste for them.

The camp is divided into two age groups — one for children ages 5 to 8, and the other for children ages 9 to 13. There are 20 spots in each camp. Potter said there were six spots remaining in the camp for ages 5 to 8, and 11 for ages 9 to 13.

“Deadline [to sign up] will be when it is full,” he said. “This is just a way for children to be active and learn different sports and new skills, without a lengthy commitment to each sport.”

The YMCA also is hosting a Cultural Center Camp this summer, but that is already full with 70 campers.

The American Camp Association website lists benefits children gain when they go to camp — whether it be day or overnight. The benefits are:

• Social skills development including leadership, communication and participation;

• Character building such as self–respect, responsibility, resourcefulness and resilience and;

• Community living skills including caring, sense of fairness, citizenship and trustworthiness.

Youth Sports Sampler Camp:

Where to sign children up: www.ymca-ywca.org

Dates: July 10 to July 14 for children ages 5 to 8; and July 17 to July 21 for children ages 9 to 13

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Marshalltown YMCA Horne Henry Center Gym and Cultural Center Field, 108 Washington St., Marshalltown

Cost: $30 for Y members and $60 for program participants.

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Contact RLana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.