On a recent Saturday morning when many children were home in their beds sleeping late or curled in a blanket watching cartoons on television, the Ten Spot Lanes bowling alley in Mandan was filled with boys and girls and their families.

Since 1979 Barry's Kids Youth Bowling, a nonprofit organization directed by Barry Schneider of Bismarck, has provided youth from ages 4 to high school certified bowling instructions, a bowling ball and a chance to learn a life long activity.

"You can do it (bowling) for your whole life no matter how challenged you are either by age or by how physically or mentally challenged you are," Schneider said.

Every Saturday, beginning in the fall, 60 to 70 boys and girls show up at the Ten Spot Lanes to work on their skills and to have fun during the business sponsored youth league.

"They like it," said Carol Dymerski of the young bowlers. Her daughter Cady, 12, bowls in the league. "They make sure on Friday night someone is there to get them here," Dymerski said as she watched Jarod Hanson, 11, Cady, and Cody Knowlen, 9.

The youth travel from Bismarck-Mandan, Baldwin, Wilton and New Salem to join the league.

Dion Young, 14, of Bismarck, started bowling a few months ago. "I decided to pick something new. I needed something to do besides screwing around."

"They'd rather do this than watch cartoons," Schneider said.

To view more photos from this series and others go to www.bismarcktribune.com/neighbors.