Basketball Camp Changed My Life

One of the best things about being a kid is being able to go to summer camp. But sometimes, the typical summer camp differed from what you sought. Instead, you wanted something more fine-tuned to your interests and abilities. Some kids liked horse camp, where they could interact, ride, and learn about horses. At the same time, other kids took more interest in science camps, some form of music camp, or even a sports camp. And that was the beautiful thing: endless options for the type of camp geared towards your interests.

Not to mention, the duration of the camp was also customizable. You could go to a day camp, an overnight camp, or sometimes a camp that would occur only once or twice a week. Granted, it was typically up to your parents to decide what type of camp you would be going to; however, often, it seemed they would consider your feelings.

The best part, though, was all the memories that you would make regardless of what camp you would choose. I remember some of the best memories that I had was the basketball camp that I attended every summer from the time I was seven till I graduated high school.

Basketball camp is different from your typical summer camp. It doesn’t have all the goofy games, the relay races, or the late-night shenanigans. But what it did was help me hone my basketball skills to the point where I became the number one varsity player for our team. This allowed me to gain a full scholarship to the college I attended later in life.

The discipline and hard work that basketball camp taught me not only helped me excel on the court but off the court as well. And my coaches helped me to become both the person and the player I am today. Their dedication to my excellence, as well as their own skills and abilities, allowed me to fulfill my goals and dreams in my basketball career.

Basketball camp was challenging, and in many instances, it wasn’t always fun. I could have opted for a more easy-going summertime experience, but instead, I chose to try to become the best athlete I could be. Through sweat and tears and dedication to my craft, I slowly worked up the skill set that helped me and my school win our basketball championship. It also taught me to be a better teammate and learn how to better communicate both on and off the court.

Furthermore, basketball camp also taught me how to take care of both my physical body and my mind. It helped me develop a mental toughness and awareness that has allowed me to stay focused and persevere in my tasks. This included all of my college courses as well as my current occupation.

I will be forever grateful to my coaches and the opportunity that I had to take part in so many summers, have fun, work hard, and learn to be the best version of myself. While a sports camp like basketball might not be for everyone, I would recommend most emphatically that any type of camp is beneficial to a child or teen for both their mental and physical health, as well as teach them skills and make memories that will last a lifetime.