EATON — The summer season provides opportunities for high schools and colleges to extend their programs through sports camps. Eaton High School has one such program, having recently conducted their annual volleyball summer camp, one of eight total youth programs before the school year kicks off.
A large number of students turned out for camp, broken down into grade categories.
Varsity Volleyball Coach Parker Fields, spoke during the camp: “We have grades 3-5 in the mornings, and older kids in grades 6-8 in the afternoons. We do it is just for them to learn the skills and to love the game. It’s to get the know the high school girls on our teams and to look forward to when these campers get older.”
Fields continued, “The real reason why anyone does a camp is to build their program. That’s why we have always done it. If the kids love this sport, then the program gets better. The skills involved in volleyball are so intricate that I think it’s probably the hardest youth camp you can run. It’s such a challenge for the kids so we try to make things fun for them and to help grow a love for the sport.”
Many of the returning varsity and junior varsity players participated in helping out for the camp, along with veteran JV coach Gerald Cornett. One particular player of note is returning All-State player Emma McKinney, who was on hand to help with the young campers.
The summer camp taught basic fundamentals in serving, teamwork, passing, and communication. In addition, numerous fun activities were involved for the kids to enjoy the sport and to establish long lasting friendships both through the sport and in the community.