Children warm up during Greg Foster’s basketball camp Thursday, which took place at the Stout Physical Fitness Center here. Photo by Kelley English.
Ex-Laker pro inspires Bliss youth campers
Virginia Reza, Monitor Staff
Thirteen-year NBA pro Greg Foster conducted daily basketball instruction and demonstrations from June 23 through Thursday for Fort Bliss children ages 7 to 15 during the a basketball camp at Stout Physical Fitness Center.
More than 100 children participated in the camp where they learned to dribble, shoot and run offensive and defensive plays and passing drills. Rene Nava, Child and Youth Services sports and fitness director, said the camp keeps the children active during the summer and helps them get their game skills to the next level, especially with the caliber of coaches participating in the camp, he said.
Foster said he participates in summer camps because as a young boy he did not have professional mentors to help him with his game. He thinks it is important to start teaching children at a young age so they have a solid foundation when they become teenagers.
Greg Foster, left, takes a break with “Junior” Greg Foster before camp activities began Thursday at Stout Physical Fitness Center here. Photo by Kelley English.
“This is my passion, a way of giving back to my community and more importantly, getting involved with the development of the child in athletic and life skills,” Foster said. “It is important for me because I didn’t have it.”
Mary Jenkins, the mother of Katelyn, a camp participant, said her children had participated in several basketball camps this summer and Fort Bliss’ was by far the best.
“(The Youth Services) have put on a wonderful camp,” Jenkins said. “They are very well organized. The coaches have been great and have been working with the kids individually. The kids had a blast.”
“My shooting got better and I can crossover now,” Katelyn said. “I recommend this camp because it helps kids with experience and no experience.”
The next Fort Bliss sports camp is the Start Smart Fundamentals, which is a feeder program into different sports arenas. In the camp, children ages 3 to 5 will learn fundamentals of golf, football, basketball, baseball and soccer. It begins Monday.
“We are hoping these fundamentals will help the kids make a decision of what sport they enjoy most,” Nava said.
For more information on how to register, call 568-4374.