As school lets out for the summer, one local program is aiming to keep young people engaged and moving throughout the break. At The University of Texas at San Antonio, that concept is the foundation of the Youth Performance Program, now in its fifth year.
The four-week program helps student-athletes from ages 12 to 17 build core skills across multiple sports while staying active during the summer. That emphasis on daily movement reflects CDC recommendations that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
“We try to put the youth participants in challenging physical situations but in a way that is geared toward successful results. In this way, we hope to encourage both physical and mental well-being,” said Derrick Jenkins, lead coach of the Youth Performance Program.
Since its launch, the Youth Performance Program has impacted over 125 student-athletes across San Antonio.
What sets the program apart is its training environment, which matches a group of 18 participants with two coaches. This strong coach-to-athlete ratio provides each participant more frequent and individualized guidance.
“Over four weeks, the program develops sprinting, agility, balance and explosive jumping — all important across a wide range of sports,” Jenkins said.
The UT San Antonio program is offered in two separate sessions over the summer at the Main Campus. Each session meets three mornings a week from 8 to 10 a.m. and includes 12 workouts that combine running and strength training. The first session runs from June 1–26, and the second runs from July 6–31.
Led by certified trainers and student staff, the program builds athletic skills and supports long-term health and confidence.
A peek inside the Youth Performance Program.
