Last month while visiting family in Charlotte, I enrolled my boys in Tennis Camp at the Levine JCC of Charlotte. While we weren’t sure what to expect, we knew that the boys needed the opportunity to move and use energy and figured this was a great chance to learn skills in a social sport that they enjoy.
Again. We had no idea what to expect.
We. Were. Wowed.
We were thrilled.
And ever since I’ve been looking for a tennis program as strong as the one they attended around home. Sadly, I have yet to find one.
What made the JCC Tennis Camp so spectacular? It was more than tennis. When the kids arrived, they were greeted by name on the 2nd day. Everyone knew everyone’s names. Then, they stretched and got ready for the morning. After that, rather than getting right on the court, the kids played a different sport (soccer, capture the flag, etc.) to encourage aerobic exercise and get them working together. Next, they spent about 2 hours on the courts playing tennis activities that encouraged them to learn new skills and play as individuals and as a team. They’d follow their snack break with another activity or game, or head to the pool and lunch.
I enrolled my kids for half day camp and it was all my 6-year-old could handle. My 8-year-old, begged for a whole day. (This from the child who after a week of full day baseball camp told me it was just too much.)
The camp is run by the JCC Tennis program and is taught by both Tennis Pros and tennis “pros” (high school and college athletes) who were all personable and responsible. One of my children is more hesitant about trying new things and they were patient with him–encouraging him to be comfortable before jumping in.
So, in search of another tennis camp for my kids, I’ve found nothing that measures up around home. Therefore, my kids are now begging to go back to Charlotte next summer and enroll again. My parents are pretty happy to hear that.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
© 2012, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.