Itty bitty players pursue big basketball dreams

A group of early elementary students are pursuing some big dreams by taking part in the Itty Bitty Basketball Camp at Eisenhower High School. 

Kevin Donahue, a teacher at Eisenhower High School, said the sports camp offers a one of a kind opportunity for 35 students from kindergarten through third grade to get a strong foundation in the game. 

"We really work on motor skills and hand-eye coordination," Donahue said. "They develop skills that will allow them to be successful at all sports."

A typical day has students broken into small groups to work with coaches on defensive skills, dribbling, shooting, and basic rules of the game.

And while the camp has helped him in all of those areas, there is another reason why Crissman Elementary student Nathan Byrne is in the camp.
"I really like to play basketball with my friends," he said. 

The Itty Bitty Basketball camp has been offered through UCS Community Education for more than 10 years.

Donahue said in addition to polishing basketball skills, the camp participants are developing skills that will improve subjects that require eye-hand coordination, such as writing and art.

And it gets the students active - something Donahue hopes will continue long after the three day camp. 

"We want them to build some confidence and have a lot of fun," he said.
 
The Itty Bitty Basketball camp is one of nearly 50 sports camps being offered through the UCS Community Education this summer.