June 14, 2000

Kids who participate in athletics obviously learn physical skills. News Specialist Ruth Todd introduces us to a program which helps kids not only athletically, but helps them to better cope with life.

When she was seven, Ashley Ward attended one of Mark Eaton's basketball camps. She had always wanted to be a good basketball player.

But it was something else that drew her to the camp. She says it helped her cope with the death of her father.

Ashley Ward: "IT HELPED ME GET OUT MORE AND HAVE FUN AND NOT THINK ABOUT IT."

And helping kids is just what Eaton intended to do when he set up his sports camps - part of the appropriately named "Standing Tall for Youth Foundation."

His camps aren't just designed to teach sports like basketball, outdoor activities, archery fishing, winter sports, and ropes courses. They teach kids how to deal with life.

Mark Eaton/Standing Tall for Youth Foundation: "TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ALL THOSE LIFE SKILLS KIND OF COMPONENTS. COPING SKILLS, STRATEGIES, LIFE GOALS, THINGS LIKE THAT AND AGAIN THROUGH THE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES AND THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. WE HOPE THE LIGHTBULB GOES OFF, AND THE KIDS FINALLY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SAY IN THEIR OWN DESTINY."

Ashley is now 13, and doing well athletically, and emotionally. She has been selected as an ambassador in the United States People to People program to Australia.

Ashley Ward: "PEOPLE GET CHOSEN FROM AROUND THE UNITED STATES AND WE PLAY AGAINST CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES."

Not only play against them, but meet with other young players and hopefully become friends. And eventually, she'd like to be a counselor at one of Eaton's camps, helping other kids learn what she did - how to live life.

Mark Eaton is holding a fundraiser for his camp. His celebrity softball game is this Friday at Franklin Covey Field.