Partners

As an academic and athletic summer camp for Twin Cities youth, the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) and the Cultural, Academic and Athletic Program (CAAP) work closely with the St. Thomas School of Education, Minneapolis Public Schools, St. Paul Public Schools, and the East Metro Integration District, which is a collaborative effort that fosters voluntary integration among St. Paul Public Schools and nine suburban school districts in the eastern Twin Cities metro area.

Additionally, the NYSP & CAAP is fortunate for partnerships and support from the United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.), which helps ensure campers receive a nutritional lunch and snacks daily. The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation also made a significant investment for a grant to support the 2010 summer program.

The University of St. Thomas provides in-kind contributions for facilities, additional personnel, office equipment and supplies, and several faculty, staff, and students volunteer their time by assisting in the science and engineering labs. The estimated value for the use of St. Thomas facilities alone is more than $130,000.

The Life Time Fitness Foundation not only sponsors t-shirts for campers and staff, but also provides expect volunteers to lead group instruction on such activities as tennis, dance, kickboxing, yoga and more.

We have received in-kind contributions of incentive prizes from organizations such as the Saint Paul Saints, Minnesota Twins, Associated Bank, and the Minnesota Lynx.

All of this collaboration, in conjunction with our School of Education, increases the program’s outreach and effectiveness by creating important linkages and building on – rather than duplicating – existing services.