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Children get ultimate experience at camp  Beginning May 31 and continuing through July 16, MUSC’s Harper Student Center will offer its annual Ultimate Tennis and Sport Camp. Celebrating its fifth year, the program teaches children about the benefits of healthy activities. JoAnn Lee, the program’s director, said that the program represents MUSC’s effort to instill good health habits at a young age. “The program exposes kids to healthy activities earlier in their lives,” she explained. “We want to get them on a healthy path to a lifetime of fitness.” To that end, the camp divides its participants, ages 7 to 15, into groups based on age and skill level. In the morning, the children participate in sports such as tennis, racquetball, dancing, and martial arts. Lee referred to these activities as “lifetime sports,” or sports that the children play individually or with a few friends. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to team sports such as basketball and soccer. During this time, the children get exercise and learn important lessons about teamwork. The program operates entirely within MUSC’s campus. Besides the outdoor tennis courts, every activity takes place indoors, allowing the children to exercise in a safe environment away from the often intense heat of summer in Charleston.  A group of experienced local coaches supervises each activity. “Many of our coaches are interns from The Citadel’s master’s program in physical education or from the College of Charleston,” Lee said. “Everyone is very skilled in what they do.”  A lunch program in conjunction with the student center’s Mustard Seed restaurant is available, and this year, the program will add an arts and crafts segment to encourage creativity as well as physical health. More than 360 children attended last year’s program, according to Lee, with some children returning for more than one week. Continued popularity this year means that space is limited. The program is accepting applications, and MUSC employees and students receive a $15 discount per child. Regular cost is $175 per week.  For information and a printable application, visit http://www.musc.edu/hsc/tennis.htm.    Friday, April 2, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.