On July 31st, PYB will host its last Collegiate Summer Camper Series week at La Salle University. Thus far, PYB has run 5 weeks of dynamic, fun and transformative camps at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia University, St. Joseph’s University, Temple University, and Drexel University.
Not only did our campers grow as students, athletes, and positive leaders, but we had many special guests at our camps to witness the growth of our student-athletes firsthand. We hosted our Quarter 1 Board Meeting during the St. Joseph’s University camp, followed by a visit from Paul Muller, President of Tri-State Toyota Dealers and PYB’s Collegiate Summer Camp Series Presenting Sponsor. Additionally, on Friday of July 14th, due to changes in gym availability we hosted camp at Archbishop John Carroll High School. This gave our campers exposure to a great high school that is a basketball powerhouse, and hopefully opened their eyes a high school setting, a place they will be in a few short years. Carroll’s athletic director, Brady Kramer, was an honored guest during the day, and Paul Romanczuk, head coach of Carroll’s Boys varsity team along with Frank Fox, President of John Carroll High School, served as our lunchtime guest speakers.
Exciting camp weeks didn’t end at St. Joe’s. During our Temple week we were fortunate enough to host Comcast SportsNet’s Philadelphia 76ers’ broadcaster, Marc Zumoff, who skillfully entertained the campers with his legendary “Iverson for the Win!” quote, and also shared important lessons on the value of following your dreams.
On Wednesday, July 26th, during our Drexel Univeristy camp week, partners at Cozen O’Connor visited camp and played full games against our campers. The campers came out on top, yet it was a well fought battle by the Cozen O’Connor Team! The games were officiated by NCAA Final Four Referee, Jeff Clark, so it was a fair match! Click HERE to see a clip of the day on CBS Philly.
On Friday, July 28th, Mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney, and his Deputy Director, Brian Abernathy, visited camp. Mayor Kenney spoke to the campers about the importance of education and basketball to the city of Philadelphia. Mayor Kenney and his staff have supported PYB since its inception in June of 2015 and we are forever thankful for their continue support of our program.
Furthermore, on August 2nd campers will be surprised by an ice cream truck during their lunch hour, courtesy of Michael Smith and InvestorsBank, PYB’s Camper Sponsor! And on August 4th our campers in the La Salle University Camp week will spend their day at the home of Ed and Brucie Baumstein in Gladwyne, PA. The Baumsteins, generous supporters of PYB and the previous hosts of PYB’s Summer Camp Kick Off BBQ, offered to open their home, pool, backyard, and NCAA regulation indoor basketball court to PYB campers for a day of wonderful day of activities to celebrate the last day of our Collegiate Summer Camp Series!
With all of the action going on at camp this summer, we wanted to hear from our campers what they enjoyed most about camp. Sam’i Singletary, a 5th grade camper, said “I like the games and how fun it is and how we can do stuff off the court and on the court. Also, I like how the staff appreciates everybody that comes to camp.” Raven Nicole Hart, also a 5th grad camper said, “PYB camp has helped me to improve on what I’ve done in basketball. It has helped me stay strong and showed me that whatever effort you put in is all good. Even if you miss the winning shot everyone supports you and they know you’ve tried your best!”
PYB is grateful that we have been able to serve over 750 middle school and high school aged young people grow as student, athletes and positive leaders throughout this summer. As we wrap up on 2nd Annual Collegiate Summer Camp Series we look forward to continually improving upon our approach to effectively serve more deserving young people throughout our city.
Written by Harris Edelman, Corporate Intern