An "inclusive and fun" youth basketball camp is coming to Orillia during the March break.
Kids aged seven to 13 are invited to the Orillia March Break Basketball Camp from March 11 to 15. It's being held at Orillia Christian School and is open to all genders.
Camp founder Vito DiMartino, 67, has been running basketball camps for youth since 1998.
"It started as a fundraiser for a basketball cultural exchange to Japan," he explained. "It kind of meshed and I just kept it going since then."
Four years ago, DiMartino moved with his family to the Orillia area from the Niagara Falls area. He decided to bring his successful basketball camp with him.
"Some of my grandkids who live in the area are coming to the camp," he explained. "They are a strong motivation for me to conduct a camp in Orillia."
During the camp, youth aged seven to nine attend the three-hour session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The ten- to 13-year-olds follow from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Students learn ball handling, dribbling, and shooting form skills. They are then broken into stations where volunteer high school students teach the youth pivoting, defensive concepts, rebounding, and other basketball-specific skills.
"We also implement shooting games for fun," DiMartino explained. "The kids get awards for that at the end of the week."
Each day's session ends with an exhibition game that is coached and officiated by volunteer high school students.
"This is not just for the campers," DiMartino said. "I'm devoted to training the high school kids who help out and want to make sure they have a great experience."
High school students who would like to earn up to 35 community service hours through volunteering with the camp can contact DiMartino by email at [email protected].
"We prefer kids with basketball experience, but it's not essential," DiMartino said. "I train them and provide a reference letter for them if they are applying for a scholarship or a job in town."
DiMartino, a former physical education teacher of 33 years, is a huge supporter and promoter of being active, which is why he loves running the camp for youth.
"There is a type two diabetes epidemic happening worldwide," he said. "Type two means it's preventable and being physically active can certainly ward that off as you get older."
DiMartino hopes that youth who try basketball through his camp will later join the Orillia Youth Basketball Club.
"There is just something about being in a gym and running around," he said. "You can do a lot of the skills without the main equipment and it's inexpensive."
DiMartino says basketball instills strong values and sportsmanship into youth.
"We actually give out an award at the end of the week that reflects that," he said. "It demonstrates being kind and being a good teammate."
DiMartino says the camp gives parents their money’s worth in providing a quality program for youth.
"We do our best to make sure they have a great experience," he said.
The camp costs $120 per child, but there is a $10 discount if registering two family members, and a $20 discount if registering three family members. To register, click here.
