NYSP has reached out to a number of other groups to fortify youth experiences. One prominent partnership is with the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) through an initiative called "PGA First Swing," which promotes golf to youths.

PGA members and staff train non-professional personnel to deliver an introductory curriculum to NYSP participants. They provide youths with a chance to develop golf skills and visit a golf facility during a field trip. If participants wish to continue to hone their skills, an "after-program" is available through other community agencies.

This year's First Swing program at St. Thomas University (Minnesota) and the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, took on special meaning, with both schools taking their NYSP campers to a practice round at the PGA Championship in nearby Chaska, Minnesota.

In addition to catching glimpses of PGA stars such as Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els tuning up on the practice green, NYSP participants also were treated to the Champions' Clinic, which consists of past PGA champions demonstrating difficult shots and sharing their knowledge of the game.

Lamar Hudson, who coordinates the NYSP senior program at St. Thomas, said his participants were most excited -- not surprisingly -- by the prospect of meeting Woods, the pre-eminent star of the PGA Tour. Hudson said the kids watched in awe as Woods sank a few practice putts. Then they ran out ahead of the crowd to get prime viewing locations of Woods as he completed his practice round.

"I talked with several participants as they were discussing the encounter they had with Tiger," Hudson said. "They had each received an autograph and shook hands with him. Their excitement and enthusiasm was moving. I'm sure they'll never forget this experience."

Similarly, Bill Harms, the NYSP project administrator at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, said the kids not only had an unforgettable experience, but they were able to make some connections between the NYSP golf curriculum and what goes on in a real tournament.

"The kids came back very excited about golf and they were able to understand the game," Harms said. "Most of these kids had never held a golf club in their life. Maybe not all of them will in the future, but I know some of them will."

Insuring kids, ensuring health

NYSP also is partnering with Covering Kids, a national nonprofit initiative that connects uninsured children to low-cost and free health-care coverage programs available in every state and the District of Columbia.

The NYSP summer camps provide an excellent opportunity to inform thousands of families about children's health-care coverage programs in their state. Covering Kids coalitions team with NYSP to help connect uninsured children to low-cost and free health-care coverage programs. Program administrators estimate that one in every five parents of uninsured children has or would keep their children out of a sporting or athletics event because of fear that their kids might get injured and have no way of paying for their care.

"None of us wants to see uninsured kids needlessly sit on the sideline instead of playing after-school sports," said Kelly Carey, Covering Kids director of corporate outreach. "Covering Kids is working with NYSP to inform parents of the health-care coverage available to them that will keep their children and athletes healthy all year long. Through partnerships like these, children have the opportunity to participate in athletics activities, and parents will have peace of mind that their child is covered by a comprehensive health-care plan."