National Youth Sports Week is July 20-24
th. Now under normal circumstances, this annual event is dedicated to showcasing how youth sports organizations and members of Congress can work together to promote healthy lifestyles. This year, the goal remains the same, but the circumstances are obviously different due to
COVID-19 and social distancing rules.
Let’s take a look at the history of this event and explore ways to get our kids back in the pool while still keeping safety top-of-mind.
What is National Youth Sports Week?
As mentioned above, National Youth Sports Week aims to help spread the importance of fitness among young people across the nation. This event is presented by the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS), an advocate for safe environments, healthy lifestyles, and stronger communities. During National Youth Sports Week, thousands of youth sports coaches, athletic directors, recreation directors and parents across the country show their support of youth sports. The NCYS seeks to level the playing field, enabling all youth to have full access to sports.
On Wednesday, July 22, the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) hosted a virtual Hill Day to celebrate Youth Sports Day. The purpose of this day is to celebrate Congress assisting community organizations through the creation of an economic stabilization fund.
To learn more about National Youth Sports Week, visit the
official website of NCYS.
Swim Teams and Safety
One great way to help kids stay active during the burning hot summer is swimming. Now, due to coronavirus concerns, many states are pausing competitive swim teams. However, if your state allows competition swimming, this is a fantastic way for kids to keep fit during the current pandemic.
When it comes to beneficial exercises, the
health benefits of swimming are tough to beat. You see, swimming is a full body workout. You see, it works multiple muscles at once. What’s more, it causes significantly less wear-and-tear on your joints than other sports. So even if competitive swim activities are paused, doing some laps is still a great way to stay fit.
Of course, we wouldn’t be much of a safety blog if we didn’t mention the safety benefits of
swimming lessons. Becoming a strong swimmer is an incredible survival skill. Drowning happens quickly, so it pays to know how to stay safe in the water. With that in mind, it is equally important to have CPR training, in case of an emergency.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Now that we’ve established the health benefits of swimming, how does this fit in with National Youth Sports Week? This is where Swim Teams come in. Some healthy competition is a wonderful experience for young athletes. Aside from pushing your body beyond what you thought was possible, a team can be a great opportunity for socialization as well. Good sportsmanship and hearing the cheers of teammates are a major boon for kids. This is especially important during our current quarantined era.
Unfortunately, depending on where you live, swim teams may not be available yet. You’ll need to keep a close eye on your local re-opening guidelines. Check out this page to
find a swim team in your local area. They’ll be able to provide you with information and contact details. Luckily, swimming is still a great fitness activity, whether you’re on a team or not!
