NL Basketball Camps: Starting Them Young!

Like it or not, sports play an important role in the life of a lot of our kids. The positive attributes of sports participation are well-known. It promotes teamwork, problem-solving skills, self-esteem, accountability, leadership, and physical fitness, to name a few. While not for everyone, it can often be a truly positive experience. Teacher and coach Austin Burns uses his time to promote these aspects and the love of basketball.

Burns has held two basketball camps since the last day of school. The girls’ camp was May 29-31 for girls entering grades 4-8. In this, the camp’s second year, the numbers have gone from 27 last year to 40 this year. He wants the girls to get excited about playing basketball and to build enthusiasm for the game.

The boys’ camp, in its inaugural year, had 25 participants, also entering grades 4-8. It ran from June 5 -7. His goals for the boys are the same as the girls’.

At the high school level, with the girls’ numbers having been low for the last few years and with the boys facing a rebuilding year due to graduation, Burns is hoping his camps get kids participating at higher numbers. What better way to do that by starting them young!

Besides generating excitement about the sport and honing their skills, when asked what he sees as his ultimate goals for both the boys and girls, he says, “I want to allow a space for kids to learn and enjoy the game so that they will play in the winter. My hope is that the boys and girls programs will be full of kids playing basketball.”

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