Not too long ago, most kids’ summer basketball camps were attended only by boys who’d run around and tear up the court.
This year’s Thunder Youth Basketball Camps, presented by Cox, serve as a strong example of how much youth basketball has grown.
The 80 participants in this week’s clinic, the first of six in the OKC metro this summer, range in age from 5 to 16, range in height from barely knee-high to full-grown, range in ethnicity and background as much as you can imagine. They are boys and girls. They are black, white, Hispanic, Asian and more. Some have glasses. One has a mohawk. And two are in wheelchairs.
Tying them all together is the desire to play the game of basketball.
Campers spend most of the day drilling basketball fundamentals, such as jump shots, dribbling skills, defense, pick-and-rolls – you name it, they’re practicing it. Some of these concepts are new to campers; for participants more familiar with these skills, they’re being reinforced.
But skills and drills aren’t the only essentials of a good basketball player. Coaches give just as much effort toward fostering a good attitude as honing a perfect lay-up. Medals given out at the end of each day recognize participants both for abilities and for teamwork.
To give kids extra encouragement, the Thunder brings in special guests whenever possible. This week’s campers have been loaded up on visitors, including Rumble, the Thunder Girls and Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, who told the crowd that he wished he’d had this kind of opportunity when he was a child.
On Friday, camp will wrap up with a visit from the Thunder merchandise trailer, which will be stocked with gear in sizes for campers and their parents.
While many families are only able to send their kids to one camp, a few are repeat customers. One parent commented on Facebook that this is her child’s third Thunder Youth Basketball Camp, and that he loves the camp – especially the coaches.
Presented by Cox Communications, this year’s Thunder Youth Basketball Summer Camps are filling up quickly. To sign up and for more information, CLICK HERE.