The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

EACH summer, the Jeff Rodgers basketball camp has a number of landmark days including its opening, visits from NBA superstars and the heralded “Fun Night.”

However, camp director Jeff Rodgers expects yesterday’s new initiative to become its most popular.

In its 25th edition, the camp hosted its “Father-Son, Mother-Daughter, Parent-Camper Day” at the camp’s location - the HD Colburn Gymnasium at Bahamas Academy, Wulff Road. 

“I have been doing camps throughout the Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean for quite some time now, but this was easily one of the most exciting experiences I have ever been a part of,” Rodgers said.

“We anticipated that we would get some support, but we did not anticipate it would generate this level of excitement, not only from the campers, but from the parents and onlookers as well.”

On the day, participating parents played the role of campers as they engaged in a full day of drills, scrimmages and all aspects of the typical day of a Jeff Rodgers camp participant.

“We made them a part of the full programme. They played 2 on 2, 4 on 4, and it was a full parent-camper interactive experience. It was really special to see the kids cheering their parents on and it just created new memories and bonding opportunities for everyone involved. This is definitely something that we will have to look at making a permanent staple of the camp because the reception was so overwhelming,” Rodgers said.

“For years parents have been sending their kids to us and we have been teaching valuable lessons in life and basketball, but sports is one of those things that can help build a community, and by bringing the parents and kids together for this special day, we feel like it was a positive and impactful community-building venture.” 

The next major event on the camp’s schedule will be the visit of the NBA icons on July 25.

Expected at the camp will be Bahamian basketball legend Mychal Thompson and his sons Klay - a lottery pick of the 2011 Draft with the Golden State Warriors - and Mychel, who spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Eerie BayHawks of the D-League.

Other players making an appearance this year include point guard Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 2012 Rookie of the Year, Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott, and Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues, who has been involved in the camp for more than two decades.