Sports Illustrated Good Sports, a partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association and Dodge, will help everyone put kids first in sports programs. Community parks and recreation departments across the country are registering with the NRPA to receive a packet of tips and tools to help improve youth sports in their towns. From that group, in December we will honor those that have implemented the most effective youth-focused sports programs, profiling them here and in Dodge-sponsored Special Advertising Features in Sports Illustrated. Ask your local parks and rec director if your town is registered for the 2005 program, how your town can still get involved, and how you can help.

In the meantime, here and in Sports Illustrated, we will provide helpful hints you can use to improve the sports experience not just for your own kids, but for every child in your community. The SI features are written by Rick Wolff, the chairman for the Center of Sports Parenting. Check back regularly for new features, and check out topics Rick covered in the Parents' Guide To Youth Sports, a series Dodge sponsored from 2001-2004.