Organizers of three Laredo Community College youth camps say parents want to give their children a recreational and educational experience this summer. This summer, LCC will again offer an environmental science camp, a basketball camp and a baseball camp.
SCIENCE CAMP
At the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, Director Tom Miller says that the first session of an environmental science camp is near its maximum enrollment.
“Space for the first session of the science summer camp is near its max. But, parents should note additional space is available in other camp sessions. They should also keep in mind the urgency to sign up their child immediately as space in these other sessions is quickly filling,” said Miller.
Eight camp sessions are planned, including one-week, half-day sessions for ages 6 to 8 and full-day, one-week sessions for ages 9 to 14.
Junior campers (ages 6-8) will meet Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Daycare is available until 4:30 p.m. for an additional charge.
Camp sessions for ages 9 to 14 will be from Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The camp will encourage participants to appreciate and respect the environment and nature’s living creatures. Campers will have an opportunity to study native wildlife in its natural habitat at LCC’s Paso del Indio Nature Trail.
An advanced camp for ages 12 to 15, meeting July 19-23, will include aquatic biology, snorkeling, introduction to scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing, among other activities.
Awards will be presented to all campers at the completion of each session. Lunch will also be provided.
The LBVESC Summer Camp 2004 sessions include May 31-June 4, ages 6-8; June 7-11, ages 9-11; June 14-18, ages 12-14; July 5-9, ages 6-8; July 12-16, ages 9-11; July 19-23, two groups - ages 12-15 and ages 6-8; and July 26-30, ages 6-8.
The fee for each junior camp (ages 6-8) session is $100. Camp for ages 9-11 is $150 and the advanced camp (ages 12-15) is $175.
For more information or to sign up for the LBVESC Summer Camps, call 764-5701.
BASKETBALL CAMP
At the Maravillo Gymnasium, leaders of the annual LCC Basketball Day Camp are also busy signing up area children to the popular recreational activity.
Two, eight-day camps are planned, including a session from June 7 to 17 and another from June 21-July 1. The basketball camps will meet Monday through Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the LCC Maravillo Gymnasium.
Cost to attend the camp is $55, which organizers say makes it possible for parents to provide their children with an affordable summertime experience, says Dr. Sara Carrasco, the founding director of the Basketball Day Camp.
“Parents appreciate Laredo Community College’s commitment to provide their children with a quality and affordable recreational experience in a college campus,” said Carrasco.
Carrasco, a physical education expert with many years of coaching experience, will be assisted this year by head coaches Art Smith and Randy Gibbons.
Smith has 18 years of coaching experience, including four years as a girls’ varsity basketball coach. Gibbons’ experience includes that of serving as assistant basketball coach for Providence High School in San Antonio and assistant volleyball coach for the LCC Lady Palominos.
Enrollment is open to kinder, elementary and middle school boys and girls, beginning with age 5 and ending with middle school students who have not played varsity basketball.
Highlights of the camp include individualized instruction, challenging age-level league play and awards for all competition. Camp fee is $55 per session.
For more information about the summer camps, contact the LCC Athletic/Kinesiology Department by calling 721-5326. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 7 p.m.
BASEBALL CAMP
The Laredo Community College Palomino Baseball program is offering a fun and beneficial way for young baseball athletes and enthusiasts to spend the summer season. The annual Palomino Baseball Camp will be held June 7 to 10 at the LCC Doc Sanchez Field.
Camp director will be Chase Tidwell, an all-conference standout at LCC (1996-97) and Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. In 2002, Tidwell returned to his alma mater to become the assistant baseball coach, a position which he has held for two years. He will take charge of the Palomino baseball team on an interim basis with the resignation of Coach John Maley, effective August 31.
LCC’s four-day baseball camp will focus on all aspects of the sport, including pitching, catching, position specific/defensive, hitting and base running/offensive. The camp will be June 7 to 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Young men between the ages of 7 and 15 are invited to participate.
Tidwell is looking forward to leading the baseball camps.
“Laredo Community College is pleased to be reaching to the youth in the community with the summer baseball camp,” says Tidwell. “This will be a valuable opportunity for the participants to brush up their skills on the field and learn new techniques to become better baseball players.”
While at Southeastern Louisiana, Tidwell led the nation in fielding percentage. After graduation, he coached two years at Southeastern Louisiana. He then coached one year at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, before returning to Laredo this fall.
The camp fee is $75. For more information or for parents to register their children, contact Tidwell at 206-9168.
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