A new approach to developing talented young Americans in a pair of field events where the U.S. has fallen behind internationally took a few steps forward this week.

Project Kultan Keihas (Finnish for Javelin Gold) and Project Triple Jump both took a step forward this week when some of the nation’s top high school athletes attended specialized camps designed to keep them engaged, and learning, about their events.

Both projects are part of a re-seeding effort undertaken by the National Scholastic Sports Foundation, the North Carolina-based non-profit that puts on the New Balance Indoor and Outdoor track and field championships. The NSSF has a mandate to re-invest its surpluses into junior (20 and under) track and field.

The javelin and the triple jump events are where this initiative starts. By inviting a handful of the country’s best throwers and jumpers to clinics that are part cultural exchange, part social networking, part training camp – the hope is that the athletes can accelerate their learning curves.

It started with the javelin. In October, six of the top throwers in the country – including national record holder Avione Allgood – were flown to Jeff Gorski’s Field of Dreams training facility in North Carolina. Two dozen additional throwers paid their own way. The camp offered three days of immersion and instruction by Finnish coach Kari Ihalainen, Gorski and 1972 Olympian Bill Schmidt.

“Sometimes you feel like you’re on a little bit of an island, with no one to relate to or talk to,” said Dean Crouser, who attended the October camp with his daughter, junior Haley Crouser. “When you come to something like this you see other kids doing the same thing and build some camaraderie.” …

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