Bailey Basketball Camp coming back to Putnam County, June 4-7

For the sixth year, the Damon Bailey Basketball Camp will be coming to Greencastle High School's McAnally Center. The camp will be June 4-7 and is open to boys and girls entering first through tenth grades.

The camp is being promoted by the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce and Summit Camps, Inc.

Bailey's relationship with the chamber started when he was the speaker at its annual dinner a number of years ago. Afterward, discussion of bringing one of Bailey's camps to Putnam County began. The relationship has been a good one ever since.

"Every year we are his first camp of the season," Chamber Executive Director Tammy Amor said.

Campers are automatically admitted to the camp upon completion of their application with payment. Boys and girls will be divided into groups of grades 1-3 and grades 4-10. All campers should report to McAnally Center on June 4 between 12:15 and 1 p.m. Campers in grades 1-3 will now be going the same amount of time as the older kids.

"The camp in your area is formatted to give each individual a solid program that includes fundamentals, competitive contests and great fun," Bailey said in the camp brochure.

The Chamber looks forward to the continued growth of the camp.

"The camp has been building every year. We're hoping to be over 100 (campers) this year," Amor said.

Amor wished to emphasize that Bailey does not simply put his name on his camps and walk away. He leads the camp and takes small groups through their individual drills. She said the younger group particularly take to him.

"Damon is usually here the whole time. He leads the camp and runs stations," Amor said.

"I personally will help instruct in station work and will be directing the camp's activities with each minute planned for maximum benefit," said Bailey.

Assisting with the camp will be a number of coaches, including local high school coaches, all of whom are offered the opportunity to help with the camp. The local coaches will be compensated for their time.

Additionally, every year Bailey brings out a current Indiana University player to assist for one day.

In putting on his camps around the state, Bailey tries to avoid hurting camps at local high schools. For this reason, participants who plan on attending their local camps get a $30 deduction off of tuition, reducing the price from $130 to $100.

Additionally, any business or individual interested in sponsoring a scholarship for a local student to go to the camps may do so by contacting the Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors may choose individual students or sponsor someone from a specific school district. Anyone interested can contact Amor at 653-4517. Scholarship sponsors will be recognized.

Gold plus sponsors for this year's camp are Parke County REMC, Dixie Chopper and Mill Pond Health Campus.

Amor also wished to thank Greencastle High School for the use of its facilities.

"Greencastle School Corporation has been generous enough to let us use McAnally Center every year. It is a great place to have a camp," Amor said.

All eligible students in the four Putnam County school districts should have received a brochure for the camp. Children who did not receive a brochure or families which need more may pick them up at the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, 16 S. Jackson St., Greencastle.

Send applications and payment to the Chamber as soon as possible, however, they will be accepted up until the first day of camp, June 4.