- April 18, 2024
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This was no ordinary basketball camp, where kids get to run around, play a few games, dribble the ball up and down the court and then go home with the same skills they possessed before attending the camp. The Flagler Palm Coast Co-ed Basketball Camp, managed by coach Javier Bevacqua, was run more like a high school training camp.
“The biggest difference is they show up and listen, and they start to try a lot of things we tell them,” Bevacqua said. “A lot of kids come in wanting to be LeBron James until we teach them how to space the court out and look for teammates.”
On the final day, camp participants played two games, and afterward, received a certificate of completion and a coveted evaluation sheet.
“The kids take camp serious,” Bevacqua said. “They can’t wait to see their evaluations. A lot of these kids are going to play with Upward [basketball league], and they want to use this as a test to see what they need to work on
“We’re very honest in our evaluations,” he added. “We had a long conversation with the coaches, and told them to be specific with the players about things they needed to work on. If they got a low score on a particular skill, the coach would show them what they’re doing wrong and show them how to get it right. We take it very serious.”
Bevacqua’s camp has gotten bigger every year he’s held it. In his first year, FPC camp was held in the small gym. The following year, they had to move it to the big gym. With constant pressure to add more camps, and the heartbreak of turning kids away, he’s ready to expand his operation.
“I’m a strong believer in quality over quantity,” Bevacqua said. “Parents always ask me, what’s the problem with one extra kid? Well, one more kid is someone not getting full attention. Their response is that I’ll make money, but it’s not about money. If it were, then I would take 200 kids. While it’s going to take more coaches and time, I think we’re going to go with the big gym, upstairs and the other gym next year. We have to.”
This upcoming basketball season, Bevacqua will coach some of the kids who grew up in his camp, who played the role of counselor. One of those girls is freshman Dyman Howard, who attended his first camp as a second grader.
“It feels pretty good to know how I started out, and where I am now,” Howard said. “I really enjoy playing for him. Through camp, I learned all the basics, how to pass, dribble, shoot, etc., so I can’t wait to show him what he’s taught me.”
Howard acknowledged that, since her first year, everything about the camp has improved. There are more activities, more people participants, more coaches and more parents who stay and watch the games.
To see more photos, go to http://www.palmcoastobserver.com/news/palm-coast/Sports/0614201510627/Happy-campers-Photo-gallery.
