LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — For nearly 50 years, the Lima Area Tennis Association has helped local children develop their tennis skills while teaching lessons that extend beyond the court.
The organization recently wrapped up its two-week Swing, Hit and Ace Summer Camp, where approximately 120 children ages 5 to 17 learned the fundamentals of tennis through instruction from volunteers and coaches.
“It's a really a wonderful program that helps helps develop our youth to be good citizens,” said Joan Collar of the Lima Area Tennis Association.
Among the camp's volunteer coaches is Abigail Beck, a former camper who discovered her passion for tennis through the program. That passion eventually led to a scholarship to play tennis at the University of Northwestern Ohio.
“Tennis can be an expensive sport so my family wasn't able to put me in it at a young age like some other kids and you know in tennis but one thing I looked forward to every year was going to the ladder camps because that was one way I could still play tennis,” said Beck, a UNOH player and camp coach.
The camp is offered free of charge with the goal of removing barriers that might prevent children from participating in the sport. Beck said the experience helped guide her toward becoming a tennis coach.
“This is just a door opener for many kids to see a new sport that maybe they'll love like I did. They didn't know it existed. Or it's a stepping stone for them as well going into the next years of their life, especially for the little kids,” added Beck.
Campers said they enjoy both the sport and the opportunity to spend time with friends.
Campers said they enjoy both the sport and the opportunity to spend time with friends.
“It's a fun sport and I think that it really deserves some people to play it. Because it's a sport of competitive, but also not competitive at the same time,” said Emory Thomas, an 8-year-old camper.
“Because it's fun, being able to play with my friends,” said Rowan Jarrett, an 8-year-old camper.
Collar said she has seen significant growth among participants during the two-week camp.
“This year I have seen these kids really excel. Um in the two weeks that they've started, some of the beginners they're now able to rally the They understand the rules of the game and some of the etiquette,” said Collar.
As another year of camp concludes, organizers hope participants leave with not only improved tennis skills but also a lifelong appreciation for the sport and the values it teaches.
