By Kevin Shannahan

Around 125 young people from throughout the parish participated in the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp held on the NSU campus this Saturday, assisted by members of NSU’s football and basketball teams. This is the fifth year the training camp has been held in Natchitoches, and the first year the Pelicans have participated. The Youth Community Affairs Divisions of both teams stressed safety, nutrition and academics as they put the young people through a series of drills in football and basketball skills. The Natchitoches Sheriff’s Department has been an instrumental sponsor of the camps since the first camp 5 years ago and had several deputies there. The children had a fun day of physical activity and education at no cost as both teams donated their time and expertise.