After a year without a place for campers to hone their basketball skills, Whitehall will once again open its doors this summer to kids who are looking to expand their games.

The boy’s basketball camp at Whitehall High School will resume this summer. It’s for all boys who will be entering grades 3-9.

Camp dates are from June 21-24, and will begin at 9 a.m. and runs through 2:45 p.m. The registration fee is $110.

Whitehall head boys basketball coach Jeff Jones said that the campers are divided into groups by grade and ability.

The camp will be run by Whitehall High School’s coaching staff, and will cover all aspects of the game. Additionally, all current COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed.

Head coach Jeff Jones said that last year was the first time during his tenure that they didn’t have a camp, something that dates back approximately 30 years to prior staffs that led the Zephyr basketball program.

Now, they’re ready to get rolling this summer as they’ll welcome back their campers. Jones said they usually get from 70-90 kids participating in the camp, and he hopes to see a huge contingent this year.

He said that they basically divide the campers into grades 3-4, 5-6-7, and 8-9. That’s how it traditionally shakes out, allowing kids to work among their peer groups. He said they cover dribbling, passing, proper defensive technique, and a variety of other fundamental skills during the morning sessions.

After lunch the competitions begin. That could range from a dribbling competition, a hot shot competition, something that gets them energized.

“We try to keep it fun,” said Jones.

The older campers who are more familiar with Whitehall’s program may get more technical instruction.

“We give them a little more of what we try to do,” said Jones.

As for the varsity and junior varsity players, Jones said they lend a hand at camp as well. They serve as referees during the afternoon games, and help the players make adjustments during the sessions.

Jones said that by showing the campers the proper way to execute something, it gives the varsity and j.v. players a window into coaching.

They also award medals to the campers who have won the competitions over the four-day camp. Jones said that the highlight of the camp comes when they award the Ron Madouse Camper of the Week. He said it goes to the camper who embodies the same spirit that Madouse brought to the gym. He said that it reflects Madouse’s passion for that week with the campers.