News
T-Bird Basketball Camp for Kids Growing
6/28/2010 10:49:40 AM
When you talk about the latest T-Bird Basketball Camp to Ben Finkbeiner, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at New Mexico Junior College, he can’t help but smile. “The numbers are really up from last year’s camp,” he said. “We had 32 last year, but this summer, we had over 50 kids, with ages ranging from 5 to 14.”
The camp, which ran from June 21-24, was divided into two overall groups to accommodate the varying abilities and skills. The Tiny T-Bird Camp was made up of girls and boys ages 5-8, and the Lady T-Birds Camp was comprised of girls 9-14. “It works out well,” said Finkbeiner, “because there are opportunities for the older girls to help teach the younger kids. It’s sometimes hard to tell who enjoys it more.”
In addition to receiving a free T-shirt and basketball, the campers were taught such skills as dribbling, passing, shooting, and numerous basic maneuvers that one little camper described as “cool.” Finkbeiner also offered a special weekend Lady T-Bird Offensive Skills Camp, which focused on more advanced skills.
According to Finkbeiner, the camp teaches the basics of basketball, as well as those of sportsmanship and teamwork and fitness. “Most importantly, though,” Finkbeiner said, “we make sure the kids have fun. We want them to associate sports with enjoyment so they’ll participate for life.”
In a concluding ceremony on June 24, the Tiny T-Birds had the opportunity to show off their newly acquired basketball skills for parents, family, and friends. As one parent remarked, “It makes you feel good to see your child follow directions and have fun at the same time. Not to mention that it helps burn off a lot of energy. This was really a good summertime activity for my son. He talked about it every night.”
For more information, contact Ben Finkbeiner at 575.492.2751 or at bfinkbeiner@nmjc.edu.
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