Teen camp set to end this month: kids reflect on the fun

"I like how not only do we get to actually do some of the training, but we also at the end of the day get to play games and have more of that competitive side," says 15 year-old Andres, a player who came to the camp on more than one occasion. 

Throughout June and July's scattered storms, heat and air quality warnings, the majority of kids like Andres in the Slice category, still choose to show up to tennis camp. Many bring their own racquets as they excitedly step onto court to rally with friends or the instructors before 9 AM, when the warm up is scheduled. 

They come prepared. Many are decked out in hats or visors, big jugs of water are carried by some and quite a few bring gadgets like spray bottles or hand held electric fans. The kids are ready to start the day, despite the scorching sun. 

From 9:00-9:30, the kids do warm up games and activities. Once it hits 10:00, the drills begin, with lessons ranging from groundstroke basics to serves or volleys, with games aiming to strengthen skills also scattered in. At 11:00, the teens are grouped into teams and play team tennis until noon. 

Team tennis is an activity where the children play doubles against one another and accumulate points, the number of points being based on match wins and losses. By the end of the week, the team with the most points wins the first place prize, a decorated ball trophy with gold accents. Teams who won 2nd, 3rd and 4th place also receive them, but in different colours. This award ceremony also includes ball trophies for Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player and the Sportsmanship award. 

Some prefer the games while others like to compete. Andres says he likes both. 

"I'm really competitive in a lot of things, so I really like the games, not only team tennis; I like to play with the coaches."

In terms of games, the one most of the teenagers ask to play every time is 'jailbreak,' a game that exercises both groundstroke technique and aiming but also keeps them entertained. The objective is to hit the ball over the net and inside the court, otherwise they must catch balls coming from their friends on the coach's side of the net, with the coach being free to change the rules or make variations to the game at any time. 

James, a frequent camp participant and often a fierce competitor, says he prefers team tennis over the games and drills. 

"Because I get to play against my friends, with my friends and get used to game experiences in tennis," he says. 

Chloe, 12, who enjoys playing tennis alongside her passion for crocheting, says her preference goes towards the drills and games. 

"It helps you learn and it's also fun," Chloe says as she recounts the team tennis experience being a little stressful in comparison. 

When it's time for team tennis however, most of the kids are elated, with it being hands on deck by the time the instructors start building teams; all of them huddle close around the picnic table, barely touching shoulders with the coaches, as they lean over to peek at the paper listing their names. 

Some jubilate when they realize their friend is on the same team, while others sigh in frustration when that isn't the case. Clearly this activity is a big deal.  

The kids call out to their favourite coach to act as umpire for their match, while others choose to count the score using the mounted scoreboards on their own. In almost all occasions, surprisingly, the teenagers don't cheat so often and they do not mind playing with and against those they've never socialized with before.

Their eyes are focused and their serves well calculated; the kids truly enjoy the sport, especially when it comes to match play, with most of the kids quickly rotating on and off the court for a sip of water, many having just finished their matches wishing to play again. 

 Besides team tennis, Andres reflects on what he likes about the camp in particular. 

"I really like how there's a variety of kids from different ages and how the coaches are really welcoming," he says. 

Their love for the sport and for the camp itself is evident by the way they behaved. 

Danielle, who organized the camp and created the 12+ age category believed this was an excellent way to get kids active again and to get them off their phones. Most intriguingly, this worked. Very rarely did any of the kids pull their phones out of their bags during water or lunch breaks, as most of them chose to socialize or wait patiently instead. 

Even in the sweltering heat, the teens ran to every ball, followed coaches back on court after breaks and participated in picking up the balls with only few showing reluctance. 

Most importantly, despite a good portion of kids being experienced in tennis, having been coming every summer, a sizeable amount did not. After having access to the sport by participating in the morning camp, those without such experience proved to be decent players themselves, as a lot of them showed great improvement in a matter of days. This is what such a program can do. 

All in all, even with only a few more weeks remaining, the teenagers continue to come to the Hillcrest courts, whether from a long walk, a bike ride or from a parent's car. Virtually all of them want to come to play, so the camp ensures they get that opportunity.