SOUTH PLAINFIELD – The South Plainfield Department of Recreation partnered with USA Sport Group to provide a Multi-Sports Camp from August 17 through August 21 for children ages 5 to 11 years old on the PAL Building’s turf field.  Participants and their parents say the camp was a success.  The Recreation Department is planning similar sports activities this Fall.

“This was our first time partnering with US Sport Institute to bring some new and different programming to South Plainfield Recreation,” said Elizabeth Yarus, Director of Recreation.  “We offered a Spring program, but that ended up getting canceled due to the pandemic.  We were so happy to provide this program as we began offering programs again this summer.”

USA Sport Group provides summer camps and year-round sports activities through various programs, which includes numerous sports for children 2 years old and up.  Children have the opportunity to learn from highly trained coaches in a positive, safe environment.  

“Our company is all about delivering sports in a fun way for the kids,” said Jessica Zigarelli, Lead Coach of the South Plainfield Multi-Sports Camp.  “We offer games that are skill and drill based.  Gradually, this progresses into a scrimmage.  There is a progression of learning the skills that lead up to playing in a game.”

Zigarelli has worked for US Sport Group since 2014 and is also a preschool teacher in North Plainfield.  She says it is so important for children to participate in programs such as these.

“Kids have been so cooped up since March, and they have so much energy,” said Zigarelli.  “If you can provide a structured environment like a sports setting, where there’s a goal and there’s a focus, and they can get their energy out at the same time, then you’re killing two birds with one stone.  They’re learning new skills, and they’re learning about how to be a team, which are social and emotional skills, which we’re lacking right now because everything is so isolated.”

Many parents said they would be interested in continuing similar programs into Fall.  South Plainfield resident Amy Coppola said the program was well worth it.  Her 10-year-old daughter, Mia, and 7-year-old son, Eli, took part in the week-long camp. 

“My kids had a great week,” said Coppola.  “They were super excited to come each day and I think they were really engaged because each day there were different sports.  There were sports that they’ve played before and sports that they’ve never experienced.  So overall, it was an amazing week.”  

“I loved it!” said Eli Coppola.  “I liked when we played the sports all together.”  

During the sports camp, participants met on the turf field behind the PAL Building and were divided by age into three groups.  Typically, they would have access to the basketball courts, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the camp took place outside with breaks given to rest under tents. 

The cost for the program was $195 per registrant.  Each day, from 9a.m. to 12p.m., children were given an introduction to a variety of sports including soccer, kick ball, lacrosse, field hockey, pillow polo (a version of field hockey with softer balls), tennis, football, baseball, softball, and track and field.  According to Zigarelli, having a taste of seven or more different sports over the course of a week allows children to see what they may like to play in the future while developing hand-eye coordination and having fun.

“There are so many skills that go into playing sports that are important like physical development, teamwork, social skills, and emotional development,” said Zigarelli.  “They’re sitting with friends, playing, eating snacks. Many children were friends by the end of the week.  It’s really nice to see the shy girl that came in on Monday waving happily to someone on her team as they leave.” 

Usually, US Sport Group welcomes athletes and coaches from overseas to teach children all summer with ongoing camps.  This year, due to travel restrictions, this was not possible.  But despite the challenges, local coaches stepped in and the program was able to adapt to this year’s circumstances.  US Sport Group calls for a rigorous training process for their coaches to partake in as they are trained professionals.  Camps took place throughout the summer as coaches set up on fields in towns throughout New Jersey.

“It was wonderful to have the camp be able to open up this summer and for USA Sports to be able to provide this to all these different towns,” said Zigarelli.  “The kids just want to play.  They want to get out and go back to what’s normal in their head.  And in their head playing in recess is normal.” 

Many parents said having a week to play and enjoy the outdoors was a much-needed reprieve from a trying year.

“I think a lot can be developed within one week, especially during this time during the pandemic,” said Zigarelli.  “To be able to come out and be a little freer, it’s got to be nice for the kids to be able to let go and let out their energy.  Parents were saying they loved it.  They wanted it to go longer.  Let the kids have fun and be in the sun!”  

“US Sports Institute has professionally trained coaches to provide an array of activities,” said Yarus.  “The feedback from our program participants has been positive, and we are looking forward to offering more programs this Fall.”  

The Recreation Department will announce upcoming sports activities in the upcoming weeks.