The heat of summer might still be a few months away, but the Atlanta Hawks are already warming up the court for young hoopsters with the announcement that registration for the Jr. Hawks Summer Camps, presented by Adidas, is now officially open. Targeting kids aged 8 to 15, these camps are designed to accommodate all skill levels, ensuring each participant gets a taste of professional basketball training in a dynamic and encouraging environment.
According to the details released on 11Alive, the summer program kicks off on June 3 and is not just about dribbling and shooting hoops—the camps hold a larger ambition of instilling values such as teamwork and sportsmanship in the participants and forging a strong bond with the local community, and they're doing this through five consecutive weeks of basketball fervor that span various locations in the metro Atlanta area.
Jon Babul, Hawks’ Vice President of Community Impact and Basketball Programs, broadcasted his enthusiasm about the camps in a statement obtained by 11Alive, “We are excited to host Jr Hawks Summer Camps presented by Adidas with a focus on teaching the game of basketball in a fun atmosphere and delivering an unforgettable experience to hundreds of campers.” Players can expect to learn from the best as the development coaches, along with current and former Hawks stars, will be leading the charge on the lessons.
One week of the camp schedule, set for July 8-11, is specially reserved for young female athletes, named the Lady Ballers Summer Hoop Fest, presented by Gatorade—a testament to the Hawks' commitment to supporting female players in a sport that is increasingly recognizing and nurturing women's athletic contributions, last year the Hawks Basketball Academy welcomed over 75 female athletes. Each session runs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing ample time for the youngsters to hone their skills, engage in 5-on-5 game play, and possibly win some prizes while they're at it.
… And they're making sure that money doesn't sideline any kid who has the drive to play; generous scholarships are available thanks to Hawks’ partner and attorney Ken Nugent. As per the Hawks Basketball Academy website, approximately half of all Jr. Hawks summer campers will secure this funding through the Score for Scholarships initiative, a program that, since its inception in 2017, has enabled more than 2,300 Metro Atlanta youth to take their shot on the court with the Jr. Hawks programs.
