Summer camps give young athletes the chance to shine

Coaches and athletes reflect on what makes Messiah's athletic camps unique

Athletic camps at Messiah teach young athletes about more than just skill. Recently Rick Van Pelt '91, Messiah men's basketball head coach and director of the boys' basketball camp, received a letter from the parent of a former camper who wrote:

“I just want to send you this quick note to say thank you for allowing my son to attend your basketball camp last week. He had a good time and made some good friends. It has been a struggle with him this past year. He got sidetracked by hanging around the wrong crowd. He stopped playing ball for a year which devastated me because this was his outlet. With lots of prayer and persistence I believe we got him back. I saw a difference in him when I picked him up. His speech was different, his mannerism was different and his game was different. I believe by him attending the camp it gave him his confidence back. Thank you again for the opportunity.”

This boy is one of hundreds of athletes between the ages of 10 and 18 who attend Messiah's summer camps each year. Programs are offered in soccer, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, softball, wrestling, volleyball, and swimming.

On the following pages, coaches, camp directors, and former campers were asked to reflect on what makes Messiah's camps unique.

For more information about sports camps at Messiah, please visit www.GoMessiah.com.

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