Ron Reed has created a monster.

Reed, men's basketball coach at Ohio University Southern, wanted to start a summer sports camp at the school. His wife, Joan, filed the application and OUSC was one of 10 Ohio colleges to get a National Youth Sports Program grant.

That was three years ago.

The camp began well with as many as 225 youths participating. The camp received a national award in its first year. NYSP officials said Ohio Southern met all 92 points on the check list with daily attendance the only negative mark.

It seems the camp's average was 156, four shy of the desired average.

That was three years ago.

One week into the five-week program, the OUSC camp has had as many as 247 participants. The camp's success has caused Reed to develop a waiting list.

"This is the first time we've ever had a waiting list," Reed said.

The camp begins at 8:30 a.m. each day with breakfast for those who choose to eat at Ohio Southern instead of home. Reed said about 180 kids eat breakfast at the camp and 260 partake in lunch.

Meals are furnished by the Coal Grove High School food service.

"Everyone is required to eat lunch," Reed said.

Youths from Lawrence County, Franklin Furnace, and Kentucky attend the camp.

"We have about 75 kids from the Ironton Middle School alone, and Russell brings three buses," Reed said. "We are about at our maximum. If it wasn't for (Central Christian Church) allowing us to use their field, we'd be up a creek. The good thing about a waiting list is if someone drops out, we have someone to take their place."

The camp features sports such as basketball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, soccer, bowling and horseback riding.

"We had horseback riding the first year, but the pipeline was going in last year and we couldn't do it. The kids enjoy horseback riding the most. I'd say most of them have never been on a horse before," Reed said.

The camp utilizes 35 full time and volunteer workers including a medical staff. Reed said their help is immense, especially on a tight budget.

"Toledo has graduate assistants to work, and their college classes give credit to those who help," Reed said. "This is a mom and pop deal. When you have a physical education department, it's a lot easier. We don't have that luxury."

Besides the sports, the youths are required to take classes regarding drug and alcohol prevention and an education class.

Rhonda Hall and Ruth Lynn are the instructors. Hall said the classes are a lot of fun for the kids.

"It's been said that if you want to punish kids at Ohio Southern, DON'T let them go to the drug and alcohol and education classes. They do a super job," Reed said.

Hall said the activities are designed to let the kids get a lot of hands-on experience.

"We create a lot of things and then let them eat them," Hall said. "They're learning a lot of things and having fun. They don't even know they're learning. This is an awesome camp."