Defense was getting intense between the tall, tepee-style goal posts.

Ten children scuttled between them holding yard-long sticks that clicked against each other in struggle. They fought to pass two balls attached by a leather strap.

Day camp officially ended at lunch, but a pickup game of double ball bloomed afterward.

United Tribes Technical College Cultural Days wrapped up slowly Wednesday with the old American Indian sport. For three days, children participated in traditional tribal activities.

It's the first year for Cultural Days at the college. The office of Strengthening Lifestyles and a teacher at the on-campus Theodore Jamerson Elementary School brainstormed the event this spring.

Parents and camp organizers were happy to sit in the grass and watch double ball Wednesday afternoon.

"They need to learn about their culture," said Tamera Marshall, family specialist for Strengthening Lifestyles.

Marshall's children, Tanya, 6, and Akicita, 5, were part of a group of about 20 children who attended the free program.

Lessons on Lakota language, quill work and double ball began Monday.

By the time the day camp ended Wednesday, children also participated in archery, a buffalo ceremony and a sweat lodge.

Nearly all of the experiences were new to campers, said organizer Tom Red Bird, a Lakota language teacher at Theodore Jamerson.

The college wants to create grounded individuals who understand where they came from, said Ruth Buffalo, director of Strengthening Lifestyles. Traditional lessons and motivational speeches on cultural identity help show them.

Apart from language, lessons reflected customs and values universal among the five North Dakota reservations that govern the college.

Organizers hope to expand the camp next year to include more children who live on reservations. Most of this year's campers are from the Bismarck-Mandan area and many are college employees' children.

"For them to be successful, they need to know our values," Red Bird said of American Indian children. "We forgot our values two or three generations ago. If we can bring that back, we can bring our people back."

(Reach reporter Rachel Albin at 250-8253 or rachel.albin@bismarcktribune.com.)