Summertime is full of activities around the Central Alberta region with camps still a popular choice.

Red Deer College has a series of sports camps to keep young Red Deerians busy along with learning some new skills in their chosen sport.

“Our sports camps are a great opportunity for young athletes to hone their skills as they prepare for tryouts in the fall or to try a sport they’ve never before considered,” said Barb Marsh, fitness and wellness program coordinator at RDC.

Kids can choose from basketball, volleyball, hockey, ringette and badminton for example, said Marsh.

The age groups involved in these camps range from as young as five up to 18-year-olds and there are varying levels of skills in the camps with some being introduced to a sport while others are there to learn a little more about their chosen sport, said Marsh.

“We are trying to develop the fundamental skills so the ‘abc’s’, the agility and balance, the coordination. It is a foundation for any sport,” she said.

The camps can also help build a child’s confidence within a sport and to be able to have a healthy, active life, she said.

RDC Coaches Clayton Pottinger, Aaron Schulha and Talbot Walton will handle most of the instruction at the basketball and volleyball camps.

“Other instructors are key individuals within the community. They’ve worked through the college or they are also coming through the recommendations of the head coaches of the teams here at RDC, said Marsh.

All the activity with the exception of the hockey and ringette camps will be held at the RDC gymnasiums or outdoors on the soccer pitches at the College.

There is also a section called ‘Wacky Adventures’ and Marsh said there is no firm definition of what is involved, adding what ever comes to mind will fill the time.

“But it’s also engaging sport and also adventures out in the community,” she said, which could range from making fishing line out of bark and whittling down a piece of wood to make a hook.

“If they’re (parents) looking for something to engage the kids involving skill, quality instruction, having fun and having an open mind, we have something to offer to the community.”

sports@reddeerexpress.com