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February 23, 2012

US Sports Camps Announces Partnership With ELS Language Centers

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Responding to the increasing demand by international campers for a high quality language program to add to their US-based Nike Sport Camp experience, US Sports Camps announced its partnership with ELS Language Centers to offer Nike Sport and Language programs in the summer of 2012.  

The combined Nike Sport and ELS program will be initially offered in ten select sites in New York, New Jersey, Florida and California for Nike Tennis, Soccer, Golf, Basketball and Volleyball programs.  ELS and Nike Sport Camps plan to offer additional programs in 2013.  For a complete list of sport and language locations, please visit http://www.USSportsCamps.com/international/nike

“This new partnership bring together two leaders in their fields, with the goal of delivering exceptional youth experiences, combining the best in English instruction and sports training for international students,” says Leanne Benoist, Director of Special Programs & Director of Recruitment and Partner Support/North America ELS Language Centers.


The new Nike Sport and Language programs will be offered as two-, three- or four-week programs.  Highlights of the programs include one week of language classes blended with one, two or three weeks of Nike Sports Camps.  Campers spend the first week adjusting to the USA, attending language classes in the morning and participating in afternoon activities. Both are designed to increase their English speaking skills.  Campers stay the weekend and enjoy the local attractions prior to starting their Nike Sport Camp that following Sunday.  Campers may add multiple weeks of sport camp or language to their camp programs depending on the site.


“The objective of the language week is not to teach English in a week,” says Colleen Bertiglia, International Program Director for Nike Sports camps.   “Many of our international campers have already had years of English in school.  The problem is that they don’t feel comfortable speaking English when they first arrive.”  The 15 session per week curriculum is designed to improve campers’ accent, grammar and build English speaking proficiency and confidence so that campers can fully engage and immerse themselves in the camp experience.  Adds Bertiglia, “We want them to get better at the sport they love, but we also want them to have an incredible time doing it.  Being able to speak the language and engage with other American friends is a huge part of this experience.”


The Nike Sport and Language program follows the record breaking growth that the USA has seen in international visitation and spending.  In October 2011, the US Office of Travel and Tourism published its 2010 year in review and reported over 60 million international visitors in 2010, an increase of nearly 9% compared to 2009.  According to Student Marketing Research, about 20% of these visitors are international students between the ages of 11 and 24, experiencing the USA through cultural, language, work-related or sport-related programs.  “We are seeing a marked rise in international campers coming from international destinations,” cites Charlie Hoeveler, CEO of USSC.  “These families are looking for combined language and sports programs.  But because of our specific training curriculum, we couldn’t offer just any language program.  We were looking for a language partner whose curriculum would embrace the younger learners, and would be interactive, engaging and incorporate the sport experience.  With over 50 years of experience and leadership in the language world, and its success creating enriching and memorable programs for young learners, ELS was exactly what we were looking for.”


ELS, www.ELS.edu,  is the world’s largest network of campus-based English language instruction and university preparation centers, with more than 60 locations in the USA,  Canada and Australia.  In 2011, ELS celebrated its 50th year of language leadership as evidenced by the more than one million students from over 140 countries who have enjoyed lifetime experiences while learning English.


About US Sports Camp (USSC): headquartered in San Rafael, California, USSC is America’s largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of NIKE Sport Camps.  What began 37 years ago as one tennis camp is now a national network with more than 500 camps across the country in a wide variety of sports including Nike Tennis, Golf, Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball.  Players, coaches, parents and others interested in Nike Sports Camps and US Sports Camps can visit the company’s website at http://www.USSportsCamps.com


For more information about USSC’s international sport camp and language programs, please contact Colleen Bertiglia, Director Of International Camp programs, Nike Sports Camps 415-451-2215.
 

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