Camps for Kids at the Home Depot Center

This summer, the Home Depot Center Foundation invited ten elementary school students from LA SCORES to participate in their "Camps for Kids" program. Camps for Kids is a three-hour summer camp where about 150 kids ages 7-10 get to practice soccer and learn about health and fitness at the Home Depot Center. The kids were split into groups that rotated through different stations: drill stations (passing, shooting, and dribbling), a scrimmage station, and a health station where the kids learned about making healthy choices (and they also got to jump rope, hula hoop, and jump on a large trampoline!)











At the end of the camp, each kid got a boxed lunch and a gift bag from the Home Depot Center which included a brand new soccer ball.

Alumni Coach Middle School Camp

Down the street from the Elementary Summer Camp, middle school and high school students are participating in a different camp. Every Wednesday during the month of July, a group of ten LA SCORES alumni meet at the middle school field to coach the middle school players.

Earlier in the summer, the alumni attended a special training put on by Team Up For Youth -- an organization that recruits and trains volunteer coaches in California -- to learn basic drills, fun games, and techniques for coaching younger kids. This month they've been able to take what they learn and put it into action at Palms Middle School. At practice, groups of two or three alumni each organize a drill at a station -- shooting, passing, dribbling, defense, etc. -- then they divide the middle schoolers up into small groups and have them rotate through the stations. After each group completes all of the drills, they scrimmage together.

As coaches, the alumni are showing the middle schoolers that LA SCORES doesn't end when you graduate 5th or 8th grade. Those who are interested can still be a part of the program through volunteer coaching or even just coming out to play soccer with old friends. It is our hope that this will start a new tradition where the current middle schoolers come back with their friends as high schoolers every summer to help teach new 6th graders soccer skills and the value of community.

America SCORES on CBS

America SCORES New York was on the news today on CBS. Click here to watch the video http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=144240@wcbs.dayport.com

US National Team Member Practices With Alumni

Last week, US National Team member Stuart Holden attended a special practice for LA SCORES high school alumni. Rather than running drills, Holden wanted to just get out there and play. The practice turned into a giant 14v14 scrimmage, mostly boys vs. girls with Holden playing for the girls' team. Holden scored two goals for his team, but they were defeated by the boys. The kids really appreciated having the opportunity to play alongside one of the players talented enough to be chosen to represent the U.S. as part of the national team; and the boys especially enjoyed testing their skills against him.


After the scrimmage, the kids and Stuart Holden had two juggling contests. Holden gave each winner one of his shoes as a souvenir.



Stuart Holden, 24, was born in Scotland and moved to the US when he was 10. He began playing for the Houston Dynamo in 2006, and helped lead his team to two titles (2006 and 2007). His success in the MLS drew international attention, and in January 2010 he moved to England to join the Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. Holden was on the 2008 US Olympic team, where he scored in the US's opening match. Also, this summer he played in the first stage match against England at the World Cup.



LA SCORES would like to thank Stuart Holden for coming out and playing!

Elementary Summer School Programming

This summer, the kids of America SCORES LA are staying busy and staying active. We are offering a summer camp free of charge for about 100 SCORES poet-athletes. The camp started on Tuesday, July 6th and will continue until July 30th. Monday through Friday, the kids are being engaged both in the classroom and on the soccer field.

Inside, the kids have already learned about the World Cup and they've chosen a participating country to represent. With markers, paint, and crayons the SCORES students made flags for their country and came up with interesting facts to write on the back. On the last day of camp the kids will proudly march their flags around Palms Elementary and enjoy a multi-cultural fair with food from all around the world. There are also stations available everyday in the classroom with volunteer tutors who provide homework help and activities for the kids in math and reading.

Outside, the kids are improving their soccer skills by breaking up into small groups for games and drills and coming together for scrimmages. Summer camp provides the student-athletes who play with their school team during the SCORES season with the opportunity to meet and play with kids from other elementary schools in the Palms community. On Friday, all of the kids look forward to playing outside as the coaches incorporate some way for the kids to get wet.

The summer programming wouldn't be possible without the help from all of our volunteers. Mainly high school students and alumni, the volunteers act as assistant coaches, homework tutors, and mentors for the SCORES elementary students. If you're interested in volunteering contact Natalie at (310) 204-6455.

LA SCORES Poet-Athlete Published

Saturday, June 27th the Los Angeles Times published a poem from Kamari R. in its "Creativity Corner" section. Kamari was one of our chosen poets to represent America SCORES LA at the National Poetry SLAM! which took place this past April in New York. The published work "Sometimes Life Just Isn't Fair" is about her inspirations and future dreams, and was the poem she performed at the National SLAM!

Kamari has just finished 5th grade at Charnock Road Elementary and will be starting middle school in September. She has participated in LA SCORES since 3rd grade and has written many wonderful poems for the program in that time. To read Kamari's poem, visit the Los Angeles Times "Creativity Corner" Website below.

Creativity Corner - June 27, 2010

Do You Get Your 5 A Day?

This month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated report on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. According to the report, Americans in general eat too much fat and sugar, and not enough fruits and vegetables; which is arguably one of the main causes of the high rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes afflicting the American population -- including our nation's youth.

If you think back to the food pyramid, you'll remember learning that we are supposed to eat 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruit per day. The food pyramid has changed a bit since I was in school, but that number has pretty much stayed the same. Now, for a person eating 2000 calories a day, the USDA recommends 5 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruit. Nine servings of fruit and vegetables sounds like a lot, and it can be hard to know how to incorporate that many vegetables into your meal. But how much is one serving of vegetables? According to the USDA, one serving is half a cup of cooked or raw vegetables or fruit or one cup of raw leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage, lettuce, etc.) So if you are not used to eating that many fruits or vegetables a day, how can you start?

One thing you can do is eat them as a snack. Instead of opening up a bag of Doritos while watching a movie, snack on fruits or vegetables. There are plenty of simple yet delicious ways you can serve vegetables and fruits to make sure you reach nine a day. Continue reading for some ideas.

Plain Ol' Carrot Sticks
Aside from numerous health benefits, carrots are sweet and refreshing. If you get carrot sticks or baby carrots, they are the perfect snacking size.

Why Carrots?

Carrots are one of the top five most nutritious vegetables. Eating carrots could help protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Carrots also help vision (especially night vision) and could lower blood sugar.

Vegetables and Hummus
Hummus is a dip or spread made out of chickpeas that is popular in the Middle East. It is quite healthy, and can be made with different flavors such as spicy jalapeno or garlic. Dip baby carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower in hummus for a light, savory snack.

Why Broccoli?


Broccoli is the number one most nutritious vegetable you can eat. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber, and contains very few calories. Eating broccoli can help protect against cancer and heart disease. It also promotes strong bones and strengthens the immune system.

Why Cauliflower?Cauliflower is also very nutritious. Its flavor is a bit milder than broccoli, so those who don't like broccoli should give cauliflower a try. Research has shown that eating cauliflower could possibly help protect against several different kinds of cancer.

Vegetables and Salsa
I know this one sounds a little strange, but if you have a favorite salsa, try eating it with vegetables instead of fried tortilla chips. You can use broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or your favorite vegetable. The tomato in the salsa also counts as a vegetable. Try it.

Celery and Peanut Butter
This is a good way to get kids to eat vegetables. Cut up celery into four inch pieces, then spread peanut butter on them and add raisins on top. Be careful about what kind of peanut butter you buy though. Most brands have extra sugar and hydrogenated oils added to them, so make sure you read the ingredients before buying a jar.

Why Celery?
You may have heard the myth that celery is mostly water, so when you eat celery you burn more calories digesting it than are actually in the celery. This myth is untrue, and you shouldn't be fooled into thinking that a.) eating celery is negative calories or b.) celery is a worthless vegetable. It is actually packed with nutrients. Eating celery can help prevent cancer. Also, studies have shown that celery can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Sweet Potato Oven Fries

You can add whatever spice you'd like to change the flavor of these fries. They taste good with paprika, chili powder, or cinnamon. Most of the fiber found in potatoes is in the skin, so do not peel them. Also, try them plain before you dip them in ketchup. Ketchup has a surprisingly high amount of sugar and can undo the benefits of eating a would-be healthy snack.

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cut a sweet potato into thin fry-shaped pieces3. Put the fries into a ziplock bag with 1/2 tbs of olive oil 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp pepper
4. Shake to coat
5. Bake for about 30 minutes, flipping the potatoes after 15 minutes



Why Sweet Potatoes?

Despite their sugary flavor, sweet potatoes are more nutritious than regular potatoes. They are full of vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. Sweet potatoes come in many shapes and colors. Vegetables you find at the grocery store called "yams" are usually sweet potatoes. Both pictures above depict sweet potatoes.

Popcorn Cauliflower

This is probably the most delicious way to eat a vegetable. Roasting cauliflower caramelizes it, making it crunchy and sweet. You need:

1 head of cauliflower
2 tbs olive oil
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut cauliflower into golf ball-sized florets
3. Place in a bowl and toss with oil and salt
4. Spread cauliflower onto a baking sheet and bake for 60 minutes, flipping every 15 minutes


To find out more about health benefits of different vegetables visit http://whfoods.org/

Sources:
USDA
World's Healthiest Foods