Conser, Clark set to teach at camp

SALEM - For five days next week, local children - and even a few out of staters - will have a chance to further their athletic abilities.

On July 14 through July 18 the Salem First Friends Church will hold its fourth annual Mega Sports Camp aimed at children who have completed grades one through six. The camp will focus primarily on basketball, soccer, and cheerleading and the skills associated with each sport.

Guiding the young athletes will be a host of highly regarded coaches from throughout the area including Sebring boys basketball coach Brian Clark, longtime Salem volleyball coach Don Conser and Glenbrook Middle School volleyball coach Danielle Siembida.

The camp has continued to grow at a fast pace according to Salem First Friends Church christian education director and director of the camp, Joni Pierce.

"We started out with about 100 kids three years ago, Pierce said. "The next year we had 125 and then 155."

The camp, which is free of charge, benefits from being held in a town with a rich sports history like Salem Pierce added.

"Salem is a sports town and we are just trying to get out there and meet the kids. These kids will all go on and play sports in school and this should help," she said. "The kids love it and the parents really love it."

The sports camp will also coincide with a bible camp that the church hosts.

Pierce said that currently the church has roughly 70 volunteers working both the sports camp and bible study sessions.

The 70 volunteers will be needed as the camp will entertain children from Salem, Lisbon, Columbiana and Boardman as well as several from as far south as Florida who have heard of the camps success and scheduled visits to the area in hopes of attending, Pierce said.

While the camp is free of charge for those interested, the camp will still reward those in attendance. The camp will include instruction, equipment, snacks, trophies and a hot dog roast as well taking part in the Grande Parade in downtown Salem at 6 p.m. on July 19.

So far, for Pierce, things are moving along right on schedule and said she expects another record year for the camp.

"Oh yes," Pierce said when asked if the progress has been positive. "It's been an overwhelming success. It's just a fantastic way to promote youth ministries."

For camp registration forms, interested parties can visit the new Salem First Friends Church web site at www.salemfirstfriends.org