May 30, 2008

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With Nittany Lion athletics winding down, Penn State's athletic facilities are gearing up to host 19,000 young athletes-in-the-making. On Saturday, Place Kicking Camp will kick off three months of Penn State Summer Sports Camps with former Nittany Lion standout kickers Craig Fayak and Travis Forney on hand as instructors.

Among the variety of sports camps offers over 20 camps including football, basketball, volleyball and soccer. Camps will feature Penn State's award-winning coaches and student athletes providing instruction, feedback, and tips that can help individuals improve their athletic performance. With their expertise and guidance up-and-coming athletes will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen sport. "The overall success of the Penn State sports camps is directly attributed to the coaches. They are the real champs," said summer camps coordinator Dick Bartolomea.

This year marks the 34th year of the Penn State Football Camp. Close to 3,000 players from across the nation annually attend. Session I will be held June 15-18 and session II from June 22-25. The "seniors only" camp is June 20-21. Nittany Lion basketball offers four unique camps including the Father and Son (June 13-14), Instructional (June 29-July 2), Team (June 19-21), and Day Camps (Aug. 4-7). Four sessions of Lady Lion Basketball Camps start on June 15-17 with Elite Camp. The Lady Lions will also host Skills Camp (June 22-25), Team Camp (June 26-28), and Day Camp (Aug. 11-14).

The Girls' Instructional Volleyball Camp will take place from June 29-July 3 along with two Team Camps (July 5-8, 8-11) and a Team Competition Camp (July 25-27) throughout July. Three sessions of the weeklong Boys' Instructional Volleyball Camp begin July 13 and include sessions on July 13-17, July 20-24, and July 27-31. "Coming off a year of two national championship titles, the girls' and boys' volleyball camps are seeing an increase in participants," said Bartolomea.

Since being established in 1978 Penn State's Summer Sports Camps have not only grown in popularity, but have also improved to meet the needs of the athletes. Bartolomea noted that the biggest changes since centralizing the sports camps offices concerned the safety of the campers. "We have made drastic changes in our electrical storm detection, heat control and air-conditioning, established the Gatorade Program, and the coaches now supervise the athletes on and off the fields."

The sports camps are designed to give participants the opportunity to interact with athletes who are their own age and have a similar level of experience. According to Bartolomea, athlete attendance is up as compared to the 2007 season therefore; early registration is recommended due to limited enrollment. By participating in a Penn State sports camp you may discover the Nittany Lion in you.

For information and a complete list of all sports camps please visit: http://www.outreach.psu.edu/psu-sport-camps/.

See you at camp!