FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2007

Media Contact: Candace J. Semien
Communications Coordinator
(225)771-2242 ext. 303
candace_semien@suagcenter.com

Time Out! basketball camps begin June 4

OPELOUSAS-Six weekly basketball camps will be held this summer throughout St. Landry Parish for the first youth who register by June 1.

Sponsored by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, the "Time Out!" Teen Pregnancy Prevention Basketball Camps brings former NBA and collegiate players, local coaches, and trained Healthy Ambassadors to introduce basketball fundamentals during these free camps.

The camps will incorporate instructional time for campers to learn alternative, healthy activities to reduce risk-taking behaviors that can lead to teen pregnancy.

Camps are held 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. daily with bus transportation at designated pick-up points provided by the St. Landry Parish School Board. Registration forms will be available at the local high, junior, and elementary schools for age-appropriate campers. Each camp is limited to the first 80 participants.

Camp locations:
June 4 - 8: Eunice Junior High School
June 11 -15: North Central High School in Lebeau
June 18 - 22: Sunset Elementary School
June 25 - 29: Opelousas Senior High School
July 2 - 6: Plaisance Elementary School
July 9 - 13: Port Barre High School


"The overall goal of the Time Out! Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Basket Camp is to reduce the incidents of risky behaviors that lead to teen pregnancy. The program is designed to reinforce positive attitudes, healthy behaviors and activities, and to reduce risk-taking behaviors, such as violence, substance abuse, poor school performance and sexual activity."

According to Southwest Center director LaVonya Malveaux, the Louisiana State Department of Social Services awarded a $84,592 grant to the Southern University Ag Center to implement this demonstration project. The State Department of Public Safety, Youth Services awarded an additional $40,000 to support camp activities. "We are excited about engaging local communities in addressing youth development issues. The St. Landry Parish School Board and its District has positively embraced the program's concept and is availing their support wherever necessary."

For more information, contact Stephen "Sam" George at (337) 943-2410 or stephen_george@suagcenter.com.

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