Why BALLER Camps? Participation in athletics helps students succeed. BALLER Camps is a non-profit organization created to help at-risk 6th graders in San Antonio transition into middle school by preparing them to play scholastic sports, because:
Kids who are not involved in scholastic sports are 57% more likely to drop out of high school. Students who are not involved in extracurricular activitie
s are 49% more likely to use drugs and 37% more likely to become teen parents than those who spend 1 to 4 hours per week in activities like team sports.
65.7% of adults in Bexar County are overweight or obese and 32.4% of Texas children between ages 10 and 17 are overweight or obese. What are BALLER Camps? Basketball and Life Lessons for Extraordinary Results -- BALLER Camps -- provides free, week-long basketball camps for at-risk, economically disadvantaged boys and girls in middle school. BALLER Camps works with schools, teachers, coaches and other organizations to invite up to 500 incoming 6th graders the first year, as well as returning 7th graders who are preparing to participate in interscholastic sports for the first time in the following years. BALLER Camps is different because it uniquely emphasizes the transition from elementary to middle school through athletics, focusing on teamwork, personal responsibility and respect for others. It engages youth in an activity they enjoy, making life lessons taught during the week more likely to have an impact in the future. Camp instruction is provided by professional scholastic coaches and student athletes at campuses within their own neighborhoods. For incoming 6th graders
In 2014, BALLER Camps will be limited to incoming 6th graders at SAISD middle schools. BALLER Camps will work with counselors, coaches and other campus personnel to take nominations. How can you help? Because Camps are provided free of charge to students in need, you can help!
$100 sends one kid to camp for a week
$ 50 buys basketballs, t-shirts and
"what I did this summer" stories
for 3 kids
$ 20 provides one day of instruction
and encouragement from coaches
and mentors
$ 10 is transportation for one student
for a week
