As Bryan White watched kids playing summer sports, he had an idea for a class where families learn to play different sports together. The idea expanded and grew into the Family Super Sport Class, offered with Kaysville City Recreation this fall.

“I think kids will love learning different games and love watching their parents play. If we want kids to be active, we need to give them something to do. Not every kid plays traditional sports like soccer, basketball, and football,” said White, recreation program director for Kaysville City.

“We can teach kids games that they can play with their families and then they can spend more time together,” White said. 

The class will teach families how to play nontraditional sports like kickball, dodgeball, flag football, pickleball, volleyball, and more.  It will be held on Monday nights from Sept. 12 to Oct. 5, from 6-7 p.m. at Barnes Park in Kaysville.

White hopes many families will want to sign up for the class. He feels if a family “plays together, then they will stay together.” 

White enjoyed playing sports, board games, and card games with his family. 

“Even now when we get together someone will pull out some cards.  I think that sports are a great way to spend time together, not just watching one family member play but playing together,” White said.

Dr. Todd Thatcher, D.O. with Valley Behavioral Health, agrees spending time with family is important because of “all the love and support it provides. Being with family helps construct principles and improves overall mental health.” Spending time with family is key to a person’s development as it promotes adaptability and resilience. 

“Such key lessons can only be taught by family members coaching each other regarding life’s ups and downs. Family is what makes us who we are,” Thatcher said.

Dr. Thatcher says participating in outdoor activities like sports games, hikes or gardening together improves fitness. 

“There’s even evidence that time with family can boost the effects of exercise and other healthy habits. It improves heart, brain, hormonal, and immune health,” he said. 

The cost for the family super sports class is $30 per household of five. If there are more than five members who want to play, then each additional member will be $5 per person. 

“We have 5 families signed up with about 22 people that will be playing.  We hope to have ten families. We do feel that more people with sign up as we get closer to the start day and deadline (Sept 5) for registration,” White said.

The last week of the class (October 6) will be a family barbeque. Kaysville City will provide hot dogs and then ask each family to bring a potluck dish. “It should be a lot of fun,” White said.

For more information or to register for the class visit KaysvilleRec.com or call (801) 544-1788. λ