Fall youth leagues forming at Harley's Simi Bowl and Harley's Camarillo Bowl offer young bowlers a chance to roll their way into college.

"What's so special about this league is the option to obtain college scholarships based on participation," said Charlie Horton, assistant manager and youth director at Harley's Simi Bowl. "Kids who are in the program earn points for every league and tournament they join. Those points are eventually converted to dollars."

The Grand Prix Scholarship Program is a participation-based scholarship program administered through the Foundation of the Bowling Proprietors Association of Southern California (BPASC).

Regardless of age or skill, anyone can earn points and money toward a college education. League sign-ups are open to youths ages 3 to 21.

"My daughter has been bowling since she was 3 years old," said Lori Tucker of Fillmore. "She has branched out to other sports, but she is determined to continue bowling until college." Her daughter Tabitha, 11, has "banked" more than $1,000 by joining leagues, playing in tournaments and participating in fundraisers.

Youth bowlers earn points by participating in the summer, fall or spring league. Entering tournaments also earns points. The bowling alley's various fundraisers are another way to tally points. Fundraisers include bake sales, pizza parties and bowl-athons.

BPASC oversees the scholarship fund, and when the youth bowler is ready to start college, junior college or a trade school, all he or she has to do is request the funds in writing. The check will be mailed directly to the educational institution. Scholarship dollars are forfeited if the student does not go to college or is inactive for 18 months.

Since 1997, about $345,000 in scholarship funds have been disbursed across Southern California. In 2007, almost $30,000 in scholarships was paid out.

Michael Ma, 11, of Camarillo has been bowling for four years and has earned about $1,000 in scholarship money. "He drags me to Harley's two or three times a week. He really likes to bowl and is always excited about it," said Michael's mother, Nancy.

"It's a really wonderful program because the kids can get points even if they don't win," she said. "It's one of those rare events where winning is not over-emphasized, and the kids can set their sights on a longterm goal, which is college in this case."

Another attraction is the reasonable fees. The annual registration fee is $15. Participation in the summer, fall or spring leagues ranges from $75 to $99 and includes one day per week of bowling, a learn-to-bowl class on Saturdays, shoe rental, a shirt, trophy and an endofthe-league pizza party.

Horton, who has been a bowler all his life, added, "Where else can you find a sport or program that lets you set your sights this far? Bowling leagues and college—who would have thought that they go together?"

For more information, call Harley's Camarillo Bowl at (805) 482-0747 or Harley's Simi Bowl at (805) 526-4212.