In the expensive world of youth sports, here’s a twist — two free camps
In my years before landing at Wheelhouse Creative, I watched and cringed at how youth sports and activities could cost parents so much money.
There could be the cost of equipment. There could be the cost of a uniform. There could be entry fees to play. Entry fees for tournaments.
Got a little tumbler? Entry fees to go watch your little one at a recital. And then you can expect to pay more if you want the video.
Then there’s the behind-the-scenes greed. Tournament organizers have actually approached hotels and demanded a percentage and/or straight cash to direct teams there.
So when I saw a tweet from West Virginia state player of the year Alexis Bordas, it made me smile. Ditto when I helped get word out for a Country Roads Trust event.
Bordas, who won the state Ostrowski and Gatorade Player of the Year awards as a sophomore, is holding a girls basketball skills clinic. A free one. At her young age.
If you’re wondering about the details, the clinic will be on June 10 at the Wheeling YMCA. There will be a session for girls entering grades 3-5 from 9-10:30 a.m. A second session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All the girls have to do is sign up at alexisbordas1@gmail.com no later than June 1 and bring a basketball. Very cool.
Meanwhile, Country Roads Trust and Diversified Energy are holding two football camps for elementary and middle school aged kids on Friday, June 16, at Milan Puskar Stadium. Also for a cost of zero.
Again, very cool. From 9 a.m. to noon, WVU quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends will teach. From 2-5 p.m. Mountaineer linemen, linebackers and defensive backs will lead campers. The kids get a T-shirt, water bottle and drawstring backpack.
Perhaps what they’ll enjoy most, though, is meeting players like Garrett Greene, Nicco Marchiol, CJ Donaldson, Zach Frazier, Wyatt Milum, Doug Nester, Lee Kpogba and many others. Autographs all around!
Again, if you wish specifics, register for the early, QB and skill position camp here: Diversified Energy Youth Football Camp – Quarterbacks and Skill Positions (google.com)
Those wishing to register for the linemen, linebackers and DBs session may do so here: Diversified Energy Youth Football Camp – Quarterbacks and Skill Positions (google.com)
Of course, you’ll find other free camps sprinkled around the state and country here and there. These two just jumped out at me on the same day, Tuesday, and made me smile.
And in these days of divisiveness, I promise I’ll take a smile whenever I can get one.
Nice job Alexis Bordas. Nice job Country Roads Trust.
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Mitch Vingle covered sports in West Virginia for 38 years. Follow Mitch on Twitter at @MitchVingle and be sure to check out the rest of Wheelhouse Creative’s website for your marketing and advertising needs. If interested, call us at 304-905-6005.
