A t Centennial Center and on West Campus athletic fields this summer, youngsters can be seen running to-and-fro kicking balls, whacking balls, dribbling balls and scurrying after balls.

It may be hot. But to the more than 200 kids, aged 5 to 17, playing tennis, soccer, softball, baseball and basketball at one of Georgia College’s eight athletic camps—it's pure fun.

“The kids who come to our camp are very much beginners. They come because it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great time,” said Steve Barsby, head tennis coach and assistant director for athletics business and finance.

“The skills we teach them are so basic. It’s very easy, and they improve so fast,” he said. “They didn’t even know how to grip the racket on day one and by the third day, they’re hitting a forehander, back hand. It’s actually very rewarding for the players who work here.”

Barsby was 13 when he started tennis camp. His mother said he had too much energy and signed him up.

“Since that day, I’ve loved it,” Barsby said. “It’s kind of been a part of my life ever since.”

He’s like a stand-up comedian towering over a crowd of little heads. They look up to him and laugh at his jokes. He sings to the music and has a way of making each one of them feel special. He joins the student coaches in yelling out constant encouragement: “Good going!” “Nice one!” “Almost!” “Keep trying!”

After 23 years at Georgia College, Barsby is now teaching the children of parents he coached years ago.

“It’s interesting to see that come full circle,” he said. “It’s been an amazing place, the growth, the campus facilities—everything. It’s been amazing. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

For more than three decades, thousands of area youth have learned to play sports at university athletic camps. The summer ritual means as much to the Georgia College students, who help coach, as it does for the kids who learn and practice their skills.

During tennis camp, there are morning drills, ground strokes, volleys and serves with plenty of water breaks in between. After lunch, coaches and kids play games like trivia or shoot basketball hoops before getting wet in the pool.

Recent nursing graduate Emma Fleming of Suwanee, Georgia, is now getting a master’s in health and human performance. She played varsity tennis for four years and enjoys passing on the love of sports.

“Now I know how to coach the kids. I know what they need to hear,” Fleming said, “It’s all about kids having fun and playing games. They’re learning while they’re here, but also I hope they enjoy this part of their summer.”

Nathan Haines of Buford, Georgia, ’17, has a degree in business management from Georgia College, and is now getting his master’s in supply chain logistics. He had little experience with tennis but signed on to coach anyway, because he wanted to give back to the university and community.

One 2nd grade boy, Steven Hart from Monticello almost whacked a tennis ball over the fence. He gave a big smile full of missing teeth and said, “I want to be a professional tennis player when I grow up.”

Another player, 6th grader Zach Wilson of Milledgeville, has been coming to tennis camp for five years. It’s an easy place to make friends and learn new skills.

“The atmosphere is just great,” Wilson said. “My backhand is not amazing, but it’s getting better. I went to a different tennis camp at one point, but the coaches didn’t explain things as well as these coaches.”

On the soccer field, head women’s soccer coach Tinna Gallagher leads Georgia College students in coaching young football wannabes. Gallagher was raised in Iceland and has fond memories of smelling the newly cut grass at soccer camp.

In Georgia, it’s a bit hotter. About 30 campers were red-faced and sweating but—like their tennis counterparts—smiling broadly. They did ice breakers to get to know each other. Then, got right to work on kicking skills.

“I’m happy that I can do this here at Georgia College and make some memories and build those relationships in the community and with the kids,” Gallagher said. “It’s the fun of it. Competing is fun. Having teammates and friends and coming out and exercising—it’s fun.”

In soccer camps, players learn to dribble and kick balls. Drills are built around familiar games like “Red Light, Green Light,” “Knockout” or “Simon Says.” Older players do more technical work like juggling, long ball, shooting and one-on-one moves.

The days ends with cannonballs in the pool.

For Gallagher’s student coaches, camp also means acquiring skills that will help them in the future. They learn to be on time and work with others. They become good leaders and impact children’s lives in a positive way.

Sophomore Aralyn Everett of Covington, Georgia, is double majoring in criminal justice and philosophy. She’s been playing soccer since age 3. The challenge in coaching is watching kids become frustrated. Everett tries to cheer them up. She doesn’t want them to ever give up.

“l love little kids. I remember being their age and wanting to learn how to play soccer,” Everett said. “I want to be a great coach for them and help them have a really good experience and maybe love the game like I do.”

 

Jackson Chobeo, 11, is in 5th grade in Jupiter, Florida. While visiting his grandparents in Milledgeville, Chobeo comes to soccer camp at Georgia College.

“The coaches are wonderful,” Chobeo said. “My student coaches, when I was failing, helped me out,” he said. “I was striving, and they really helped me develop a lot. They’re very encouraging.”