Tyler Junior College is offering a variety of summer athletic camps for young adults and children who would like to “fine tune” their athletic skills. Primarily TJC players and coaches teach these camps so young adults can get the first-hand experience and skills they will need as their athletic careers continue.
There are a variety of camps such as baseball, basketball, football youth camps, soccer, tennis and volleyball camps. There are also two sessions of aquatic and swimming camps.
In the aquatic camp, participants begin with introductory work on swimming skills. This camp also encourages and promotes physical fitness while campers are having fun learning and maintaining good sportsmanship and developing good social skills.
As well as introductory classes, there are other classes available such as water safety, aquatic games, introduction to snorkeling and scuba.
However, most of the camps have a distinct advantage over other similar programs. TJC coaches and players will help run each one. The youth football program is popular among young boys ages 10-17 who are hoping to make football a career.
“Boys and girls can enroll in the camp ages sixth- through eighth-grade and ninth- through 11th-grade,” Robert Mahon, offensive coordinator for the TJC Football Team, said. “Only a handful of girls usually come though.”
Having the coaches and players there to help the children and teenagers gives them an advantage. They get to learn from real college coaches and players on how to improve their game and hopefully be able to turn expert advice into skills that could help them get to the college level.
“Some players will help out over the summer,” Mahon said. “Some of them write papers on the experience or help out to get community service hours.”
Players helping with the program learn good teaching skills and get a chance to “bond” with younger children that may look up to them as role models. It gives TJC a wider fan base in the community when children find a TJC athlete they can follow all season.
Mahon said that the kids would learn all of the basics such as punting, passing, and kicking with guidance from TJC coaches and players.
For each of the athletic camps, students need to bring workout clothes, the proper shoes, water bottles and snacks. Some camps, like the tennis camp, have what they call “resident campers.” These campers need to bring twin bed sheets, blankets and toiletries.
Resident participants will stay in air-conditioned resident halls and are supervised at all times. Driving students turn in their car keys at registration.
