The Camden Health and Athletic Association (CHAA) has been relaunched to support youth recreation in Camden. Mayor Victor Carstarphen, along with supporters of the organization, announced the return of this nonprofit aimed at enhancing youth athletics across the city.
Carstarphen expressed his personal connection to youth sports, stating, “As a son of this city that participated in youth athletics, and had tremendous success with it, I know the structure and outstanding life lessons it taught me, many of which I still use today.” He emphasized the importance of expanding access to sports for children in Camden to promote equity and opportunity.
CHAA plans to collaborate with existing recreational organizations and explore new opportunities. The association will act as an umbrella organization providing administrative resources for new athletic programs. It aims to establish fundraising efforts, develop sports facilities, create reservation systems, and centralize equipment purchasing. Additionally, CHAA will support community health programs in coordination with Get Healthy Camden.
Research by The Aspen Institute’s Project Play highlights the benefits of youth sports participation. According to their study “Sport for All, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game,” children involved in athletics tend to have healthier lifestyles and better academic outcomes. The study also notes lower participation rates among children from low-income households compared to those from high-income families.
