June 18, 2008

Lobs & Lessons summer camp serves up information about tennis and life

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By Mike Porter

Many of the children have never picked up a tennis racket before participating in Lobs & Lessons. Staff members say the children are more focused because they are learning a new sport and are receptive to other lessons offered during the camp. Photo by Mike Porter VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations.
Many of the children have never picked up a tennis racket before participating in Lobs & Lessons. Staff members say the children are more focused because they are learning a new sport and are receptive to other lessons offered during the camp. Photo by Mike Porter VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations.


Tennis, anyone? Participants in VCU’s Lobs & Lessons summer camp program line up for a morning tennis lesson. The camps will serve 100 Central Virginia children this summer through partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Northside YMCA, and William Byrd Community House. Photo by Mike Porter VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations.
Tennis, anyone? Participants in VCU’s Lobs & Lessons summer camp program line up for a morning tennis lesson. The camps will serve 100 Central Virginia children this summer through partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Northside YMCA, and William Byrd Community House. Photo by Mike Porter VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations.

A bus pulls up to the intersection of Cary and Linden streets and 20 children quickly step off, one by one. It’s hard for them to control their excitement as they walk down the sidewalk and enter the Mary and Frances Youth Center, where another day of Lobs & Lessons summer camp is about to begin.

Lobs & Lessons, offered by VCU’s Division of Community Engagement, began as an after-school program in 2004 to reach out to disadvantaged children in the Richmond area, promoting education and life skills through mentoring, tutoring and teaching tennis.

The opening of the Mary and Frances Youth Center last September allowed Lobs & Lessons to offer its first summer camp through partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Northside YMCA and William Byrd Community House. About 100 children, ages 6 to 13, will participate in camps in June and July.

Lobs & Lessons staff members and volunteers teach children about tennis and offer significant life lessons too, such as teamwork and controlling emotions. Photo by Mike Porter VCU University Public Affairs 2008.
Lobs & Lessons staff members and volunteers teach children about tennis and offer significant life lessons too, such as teamwork and controlling emotions. Photo by Mike Porter VCU University Public Affairs 2008.

“A full-blown summer camp is a big experience for our program,” said Kathleen Bowles, Lobs & Lessons program director. “It allows us to branch out and flex our muscles in terms of what we can do for the community.”

In addition to offering tennis lessons, staff and volunteers will teach participants how to get along with others, control their emotions and practice healthy lifestyle habits. They’ll also be taught about the value of a college education and the importance of saving money.

Participants will tour VCU buildings, check out art exhibits, swim and play soccer. Volleyball coach James Finley is allowing 20 of the children to participate free in a three-day volleyball camp in July. 

“We want to spend a lot of time with the kids as their friends and mentors,” Bowles said. “We’ll be watching their personal confidence, making sure they are open to new things and monitoring their behavior throughout the summer. It’s going to be a great experience for them and a rewarding experience for us.”