Hershey's Track and Field Youth Program

Parks & Recreation, Oct, 1998

Approximately 480 boys and girls, ages 9 to 14, coming from small towns and large cities across the United States and Canada, gathered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the 21st North American Final of Hershey's Track & Field Youth Program. The meet was held at Henry Hershey Field on the campus of the Milton Hershey School on Saturday, August 15. The four-day, all-expenses-paid experience began on Thursday, August 13, and concluded on Sunday, August 16.

"Participation in the Hershey Youth Program now includes children from all across Canada," said Ray Brace, vice president of operations at Hershey Foods Corporation and chairman of the Hershey Youth Program Board of Directors. "Prior to this year, only children in the province of Ontario had an opportunity to participate at the local, provincial, and North American level. With the assistance of Athletics Canada [the governing body for track and field in Canada] and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the program is growing and reaching children in communities all across Canada."

Hershey Foods Corporation, through Hershey Chocolate North America, provides North American funding for the program. Sponsors include the National Recreation and Park Association, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and Athletics Canada.

NRPA played a key role in the national introduction of Hershey's Track & Held Youth Program in 1978. Twenty-one years later, local park and recreation professionals conduct local meets in more than 3,000 communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The basic skills development of running, jumping, and throwing -- and the philosophy of providing an easy-to-conduct healthy activity for young children -- has been a perfect match with NRPA's objectives.

In addition to competing in the North American Final, the athletes and more than 120 chaperones toured Hershey's manufacturing plant, spent a day at Hersheypark amusement complex, visited Hershey's Chocolate World visitors center, and met Rarer Johnson, 1960 Olympic decathlon champion and spokesperson for the Hershey Youth Program since 1979.

"It truly is more than just a track meet," said Mike Pasquale, president of Hershey Chocolate North America. "For many of these children it is their first time on an airplane or the first time they have been away from their parents. The participants have an opportunity to tour the world's largest chocolate factory, meet Olympic athletes like Rafer Johnson, and meet other children from across North America. These North American finalists return to their communities and become ambassadors for the program as well as role models to their peers."

Hershey's Track & Field Youth Program began in 1975 as a playground track and field program. Founded by Dr. Donald P. Cohen, the Hershey Youth Program has become the largest youth sports program of its kind in North America.

"The Hershey Youth Program touches the lives of more than 300,000 children and their families across North America each year," said Jay Carr, president of Hershey Pasta and Grocery Group and board member of the Hershey Youth Program. "We have an opportunity to positively influence the lives of these children by teaching them the basic skills of running, jumping, and throwing and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle."

Track meets are held in Canada, each of the 50 states, and the District of Columbia in the spring and early summer. Finalists then advance to the summer playground district or state/provincial meets and then have a chance to be selected to participate in the North American Final in August. Contestants may enter as many as three events in local, district, or state meets. Participants in the North American Final are limited to only one event. Boys compete with boys and girls compete with girls in each of three age groups: 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14.

"This program is for regular kids; it's not just about winning or losing," said Ken Wolfe, chairman and CEO of Hershey Foods Corporation. "The sponsors and volunteers, people who actually make this event such a success, are deeply appreciated. We are blessed to be able to hold this event and to see kids from across North America have fun and get to know one another. The participants, volunteers, sponsoring agencies, and Hershey Foods Corporation are all winners through their involvement with this youth program."

The 1999 North American Final will be held August 12-15. If you have any questions, please write to: Hershey's Track & Field Youth Program, Hershey Chocolate North America, 175 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.

RELATED ARTICLE: Hershey's Track & Field Youth Program

August 15,1998 Henry Hershey Field First-place finishers

Karielle Liggins, Holland, MI Girls Long Jump (9-10), 7 feet-6 inches

Andrew Glenn, Salem, UT Boys Long Jump (9-10), 7-1

Courtney Wilkinson, Jefferson City, MO Girls Softball Throw (9-10), 126-6

Greg Golden, Williamstown, NJ Boys Softball Throw (9-10), 168-2