Popular basketball camp in Fort Fairfield returns for 32nd year

6 years ago

FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — “Tiger” Basketball Camp, directed by Larry Gardner, will be held at Fort Fairfield High School and Fort Fairfield Elementary School for boys June 18-22 and for girls June 25-29. 

The camp, in its 32nd year, is targeted to youth currently in grades 1-8 who are beginning players, advanced players or fall somewhere in between.

Gardner, who coaches the girls’ varsity team at Fort Fairfield and has been a high school coach for 30 years, said the camp’s objective is “to provide the best possible instruction to all players by teaching the fundamentals of the game at the various levels in the manner of good sportsmanship and safety.”

Players will be grouped by age and ability into one of three divisions: high school, college and NBA/WNBA.

Drills, games, skills challenges, shooting competitions on the “Shoot-Away” machine and lectures will be part of the experience in a competitive and fun atmosphere.

The camp staff this year includes University of Maine guard and former Van Buren standout Parise Rossignol, Van Buren girls’ coach Matt Rossignol, Presque Isle JV boys’ coach Ron McAtee, Caribou girls’ coach Kayla Richards, Easton boys’ coach Cody Closson, Fort Fairfield girls’ assistant coach Vaughn McLaughlin, Caribou Middle School boys’ coach Brian Massey, former Caribou girls’ coach Ryan Deprey, and Cliff Urquhart, coach of the Class D state champion Southern Aroostook girls.

Each camper receives breakfast and lunch daily, a camp T-shirt and camp basketball. Daily hustle and sharpshooter awards will be presented and a camp MVP will be named on the final day. Eighth-graders will be eligible to win one of several door prizes, including Boston Celtics game tickets, to be given out during the Friday awards presentation.

The first 150 boys and the first 150 girls to apply will be accepted. The camp runs from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the first four days and from 8 a.m.-noon on the final day, which serves as competition day and offers the awards barbecue luncheon to players and family members afterward.

The cost of the camp is $145, with discounts provided to families with more than one child participating. Applications are available at local recreation departments and various businesses throughout central Aroostook County. Call Gardner at 551-5001 or email him at lgardner@msad20.org for more information or to obtain an application form.