PALS program helps children grow

500 Lafayette-area kids got off the couch for five weeks of skill building with the Purdue Athletes Life Success or "PALS" Program.

Children got the chance to participate in a number of different athletic, educational, and artistic activities in order to broaden their potential.

PALS' ninth year brought in a record number of Lafayette School Corporation kids between the ages of 8 and 14 who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The camp's activities included: Zumba dancing, writing, violin lessons, and serving donuts at the retirement home.

Camp councelor Emma Mulvihill said it was a good chance for children to learn valuable, if not, life-saving skills. 

"A lot of the kids don't have any swimming background at all. I mean there's a lot that sit on the wall, are scared to get in. And it's great, it's a great opportunity to coax them into the water," Mulvihill said.

Assistant Camp Director Kim Lehman wanted to stress the important message of determination and a belief in one's self.

"We want them to know that nothing is out of they're range. They can be here, we've had some kids that started with us when they were 8 years old, and now they're at Purdue going to school. They can do anything they want if they just set their mind to it.,"  she told us.

Sneha Rani, a councilor in charge of the musical education part of camp recalled the emotional impact the experience had on the children.

"Some of these kids when they first come to camp they're rowdy, they're all really aggressive, but when they leave they're really sad. They cry because they don't want to leave. I can tell you that they've been affected by us."

The highlight of the camp came when Super Bowl MVP and former Boilermaker quarterback Drew Brees visited the campers.