cocoa, florida – Parents, you may still be looking for a program to get your kids out of the house this summer.
Brevard County has the option of letting kids walk on the greens and come home with life lessons and new skills.
A free golf camp for all children ages 10-17 with nearly 30 years of teaching history on par.
“They taught us manners. They taught us how to live ourselves through life. They taught us how to respect adults.” They taught me so many life lessons, they really encouraged me to keep going to school, to keep getting my degree, and to be successful later in life. They gave me,” said camper Preston Odom.
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This program drives positive change through golf.
it’s all part PJ Wilson and Henry Scott Minority Youth Golf Camp and Eastern Florida State University Fred Gay Golf Academy Located at 3570 State Route 524 in Cocoa.
Camp runs from 9am to 11am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 5th to 15th. Camping is free and includes drinks and snacks for children. No transportation is provided.
Odom, 16, attended Rockledge High School and has been in golf camp for the past five years.
“He’s a shy man of words, but he gets the job done,” said Michael Cadore, executive director of regional relations at Eastern Florida State University.
Cadore, who has mentored many young people, including Odom, as a camp volunteer, said the program helped Odom break out of his comfort zone.
“He’s been speaking little by little, but it’s been rewarding to see his skill level progress from beginner to higher, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Cadore. rice field.
Nearly 100 campers attend each year and the environment is very welcoming, Odom said.
“It feels friendly. It feels warm. Everyone enjoys hanging out with each other. Everyone learns from each other. Everyone supports each other. Nobody is mean to each other.” Odom said.
Parents say that in addition to lessons that can be applied both inside and outside the course, the camp has another advantage.
“It’s free. There is still an opportunity to continue the program because he teaches us how to improve.I had golf skills,” said Odom’s mother Charmaine.
Eastern Florida State University golf coach Jamie Howell continues a decades-old golf camp tradition.
“We are continuing a tradition that started in 1992. I came to college in 1994 and have been attending the camp since that year and intend to exchange it for many of the other jobs we do. No.” Working with young people keeps me young. And some of them, the campers, can come back and see how they’ve grown, and in itself can see a little bit of the impact this camp has had on them. ,” Howell said.
Former camper Blake Gradin made an impact throughout high school and college.
“For me, it was just about golf. The best part was interacting with children who shared the same background as me, everyone was a little nervous at first, but it turned out to be a camp that really changed my life for the better. said Gradin. “And I still believe in many of my achievements and many of my actions at camp.”
Many campers like Gradin return as adults to volunteer and mentor the next generation of campers.
“Looking back was more fun than attending camp. It’s horrifying. To this day,” Gradin said. “This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life.”
At the end of each camp, EFSC awards high school seniors with scholarships that cover tuition and book costs.
“My friends are getting me back and I think I have coaches. I really like the coaches. I like the show. Everything. I like the people here. In fact, I’ll be next year. I plan to volunteer at the camp,” Odom said.
To register for the East Florida State University PJ Wilson and Henry Scott Minority Youth Golf Camp, please email Karen Wilson at the address below. Wilsonk @easternflorida.edu Please include “Summer Golf Program” in the subject line. Registration closes May 26, 2023 and orientation will be held on his June 3, 2023.
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