Learning to learn: Summer program teaches kids everything from math to drug awareness

Jennifer Knight

Thursday, July 3, 2003 | 2:23 a.m.

By now, Porter Troutman and Patti Hester are starting on their second generation of kids.

During their 21 years running the National Youth Sports Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas each summer, they have helped shape the lives of hundreds of children.

"They come to us all of the time -- doctors, lawyers and all sorts of community members -- and tell us that they were once enrolled in this program and that it helped shape their future," said Hester, the program's liaison officer.

This week more than 300 local inner-city kids, ages 10-16, came to the UNLV campus to be part of that legacy. While many were sent to the program by parents who needed child care, others were sent to stay out of trouble and learn something about the value of academics and sports as an alternative to gangs, drugs and violence.

"Before we close the achievement gap, we need to close the education gap," said Troutman, the program's activity director. "We are teaching these kids different ways to learn."

During the four-week program, which ends July 11, kids have a rigorous program ahead of them. Kids learn to construct a roller coaster in science and math class.

Others learn how to swim better, play volleyball, baseball, tennis, golf and other sports they may not have available at their area schools.

Then there are the lessons on drug prevention. In one recent lesson kids were asked to hold BBs in their hands and drop them one by one. The sound was meant to illustrate how many people die in one day due to drugs.

Brendan Adams, 15, of Western High School said one speaker who talked about his near-death experience on drugs made a lasting impression.

"He talked about how he died and then came back to life," Adams said. "It was more detailed than we had ever heard (in Drug Addiction Resistance Education). He don't sugarcoat it, you know what I mean?"

Many of the kids will take the opportunity at the summer camp to figure out which path to take, something that counselors are there to help with.

"I'm not too sure what my future holds," said Nelson Woodard, 16, of Basic High School. "I was thinking about going to college but I'm barely pulling Cs."

Many teens at this program who are thinking about their futures also face subtle pressures of being different.

At 16 years old Marcial Lopez knows he wants to go to college but also realizes it's not necessarily a popular choice with his peers.

"People around you don't necessarily want to see you succeed," Lopez said.

Hester said whether teens use the program to get away from home or just to escape boredom, it's no matter to her.

"They have a feeling of being safe here," Hester said. "Our goal is for children not to hurt or be lonely. We just want children to come here to be children."