For the eighth year in a row, Missouri Southern’s department of kinesiology will host the Children’s Lifetime Sports Academy.

The goal of the academy is to teach the skills and to promote the appreciation of selected lifetime activities.

Instruction at the academy is provided by faculty from the department of kinesiology, physical education and health promotion and wellness majors, as well as physical education teachers from the area.

Approximately 100 children between the ages of 7-12 are expected to attend the academy this year, which runs June 9-12 during the summer session. A fee of $65 per child covers the costs of the four-day academy.

Over the course of the program, children will participate in a variety of physical activities and sports. The academy offers Frisbee, bowling, fishing and rope jumping events. Free swim time in the pool will be scheduled daily. During swim time, children can go to the concession stand where everything is 50 cents. The academy also allows children to participate in cardio and rhythmic activities.

Susan Flowers, senior elementary physical education major from Joplin, is participating in the event for the second year in a row.

“The best aspect of the academy is that it exposes children to a variety of activities that they may not normally be exposed to,” Flowers said.

“Parents get a kick out of watching their kids dance and play games,” said Dr. Pat Lipira, head of the kinesiology department.

“It introduces children to activities that they can participate in as adults and later on in life.”

An example of this type of activity is Frisbee golf.

“It’s inexpensive, simple and easy to set up,” Flowers said.

Flowers taught the rhythmic activity to children on two days of last year’s academy. The class involved dance and basic jazz movements and also had children dancing in a Congo line.

The academy is open to children of all abilities.

“It is an opportunity for kids who aren’t as highly skilled as some others to participate,” Lipira said.

Students involved in the academy do more than help provide instruction for events, they also work to set up the event, prepare T-shirts, set up water bottles and prepare schedules for the academy’s students.