July 05, 2014

The Cost of Youth Sports

Tens of millions of American kids participate in youth sports. But have fun and games turned into big business? Then, the days of bargain airfare and convenient travel are long gone. And that is affecting families in a big way. Plus, what drivers ed is NOT teaching your teen.

Episode Segments:

InfoTrak: The Rising Cost of Youth Sports More than 41 million American kids participate in sports, and the fastest growing category is travel leagues. Mark Hyman author of The Most Expensive Game in Town: The Rising Cost of Youth Sports and the Toll on Today's Families explained why he is concerned about the advent of year ‘round leagues, including the huge commitment of time and money, and the higher risk of injury. He also talked about the value of traditional rec sports leagues in local communities and neighborhoods.
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InfoTrak: Forget the Family Vacation The higher cost of flying this summer may ground some family vacations. Family travel expert Suzanne Rowan Kelleher , co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of WeJustGotBack.com outlined several policies that airlines have recently implemented that make travel significantly more expensive and inconvenient for families. She also offered tips for traveling with kids.
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InfoTrak: Save Your Teen Driver Motor vehicle accidents are the top cause of death among 15 to 20 year olds. Certified Defensive Driving Instructor Bob Ragazzo, , author of Save Your Teen Driver: 7 Things Every Parent Must Teach Their Young Driver Before Handing Over The Car Keys discussed several crucial safety tactics that drivers’ education courses are not teaching students. He talked about the increasing number of distractions in the car, leading to higher accident rates.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Mark Hyman I am a sports journalist based in Baltimore, Maryland, and write for many publications including, recently, the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and BusinessWeek. Topics vary, but I have a special interest in the business of sports, sports and law and the role of adults in sports for children. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and from the University of Maryland School of Law. I am a member of the Maryland Bar. In March 2010, I was honored as one of 18 Sports Ethics Fellows by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island and the Positive Coaching Alliance at Stanford University. Sports Ethics Fellows include nationally known individuals and others who have engaged in developing sportsmanship and honorable competition on a local scale. I enjoy teaching. I serve as a lecturer at the George Washington University, where I teach sports management and sports law. My current sports passion is running - I've completed marathons in 19 states, on my way to running a marathon in all 50. I train with a supportive group of friends known as the Baltimore Pacemakers. My greatest pleasure is spending time with my wife, Peggy Brennecke and hanging out with our children (my toughest editors) Eli, a junior at the University of Rochester, and Ben, a graduate of GW. Mark's Website

Suzanne Rowan Kelleher uzanne is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of WeJustGotBack.com and a mother of three. She has been a travel writer and editor for over 20 years, including 13 years when she was based in Europe. She drives the content and editorial strategy for WeJustGotBack.com, which The New York Times has called “an authoritative voice in family trip-planning.” The site was selected in 2009 and 2010 as a Gold Magellan Award Winner by Travel Weekly magazine, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. Suzanne’s articles have also appeared on MSNBC.com, ABCNews.com, and Frommers.com. As a go-to family travel expert, she has appeared on CNN, ABC News Now and NBC News and is frequently quoted in the national media (including Oprah.com, Forbes, Disney’s Family.com, and Parents) and interviewed for TV, radio, and podcasts. She’s here to help you plan family vacations that are cheaper, smarter, and less stressful. Please don’t hesitate to ask her your travel questions. We Just Got Back.com