(Courtesy of MVP) MVP 2018, the premier Jewish Orthodox girls basketball and tennis camp at Camp Seneca Lake, under the direction of Irv Bader and Carol and Judah Rhine, celebrated its 10th consecutive successful season. This was the second year for MVP tennis which was a huge success and registration closed out very quickly.
This year’s MVP Basketball and Tennis Camp featured campers with all levels of playing ability. Players from grades four through 10, representing many schools throughout the tri-state area participated, including: Hillel Yeshiva, Bnos Malka, Shefa, Ramaz, SAR, Magen David Yeshiva, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Barkai, Silverstein, YCQ, Heschel, Moriah, Yeshiva Har Torah, Luria, Noam, HALB, Yeshivah of Flatbush and others.
This year MVP Girls expanded to five days. The MVP Girls basketball players were divided into three divisions and played many league games, which were competitive and very exciting. Some of the counselor/coaches were former MVP players and were able to give over their experiences to this year’s MVP players from their years at MVP.
Upon arrival, each MVP basketball player received a reversible MVP jersey featuring the new 10th anniversary MVP logo.
MVP Girls tennis players were divided into two divisions and played many matches over the course of the five day camp! Singles and doubles matches were competitive and exciting. The tennis program was headed by college tennis coach Chad Davis and his staff. The players received individualized attention in clinics and lessons which enhanced their improvement. Upon arrival, each MVP tennis player received an MVP tennis shirt featuring the MVP tennis logo.
Each day at MVP was filled with a jam packed schedule starting with Shacharit and a brief inspirational story, followed by breakfast and a series of morning activities including basketball clinics and tennis lessons, swim, featuring the giant slide, lakefront boating, league games and tennis matches. After lunch activities included three on three, two on two and one on one competitions, additional clinics, games, matches and much, much more. After dinner, all MVP players played their night games and matches and competed in the individual skills contests for each grade.
Each night the famous MVP BBQs on the deck of the brand new Seneca canteen gave all the MVP players across all the divisions and schools, the opportunity to interact and meet and socialize with each other. On Monday evening, the girls enjoyed roasting marshmallows at the bonfire/campfire at Seneca’s central park. On Tuesday evening, all MVP girls boarded buses for a surprise trip. The lower divisions went to the movie theater in Honesdale, to see the movie “Christopher Robin” while the upper division went bowling. On Wednesday evening, after the games and matches, instead of the BBQ, the girls were treated to special waffles and ice cream creations at the Seneca Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor.
Brand new for MVP 2018 was the addition of the MVP Girls Basketball Camp all star games on the last night of camp. Twelve all stars were selected from each of the three divisions to participate in this exciting inaugural event. Following the introductions of each player, the high level of competition was evidenced by the close scoring of the all star games. It was a great opportunity for everyone to watch their friends play and cheer them on. Every all star received a trophy at the MVP closing awards ceremony.
On the final day of MVP 2018, the championship games and matches for each division were played. The finals were followed by lunch and the annual closing award ceremonies, where many trophies were distributed to champions from all the many competitions that took place during the course of the week, including the MVP awards to the MVPs of each of the leagues and tennis players. Before boarding the buses, each camper received an MVP knapsack and an MVP cellphone/money pouch. Everyone was already looking forward to, and talking about, MVP 2019.
This year’s MVP was privileged to have J’son Stamper on staff as head basketball pro.
J’son is the basketball director at the Sephardic Community Center in Brooklyn, as well at Camp Seneca Lake. As a personal trainer, his experience includes working with NBA draftees prior to the NBA Draft. J’son gave clinics to each division each morning, as well as individualized and small group instruction in the afternoons. MVP was also privileged to have Tiffany Sergeant, the coach of the North Shore Hebrew Academy seventh grade girls basketball team on staff. Tiffany imparted her basketball experience by coaching a team in each division and was a real favorite amongst all the girls at MVP.
In reviewing this year’s MVP experience, Co-Director Carol Rhine stated, “MVP Girls gives Jewish girls from all over the tri-state area an opportunity to play basketball and tennis in a competitive atmosphere, and at the same time, a chance to make new friends and experience being away in camp in a beautiful setting. For many campers, this was their first time at a sleepaway camp. MVP Girls Basketball and Tennis Camp gives girls on every level of basketball or tennis the opportunity to learn fundamental skills from top players and coaches and improve their game. Every player can be an MVP.”
MVP has already started planning for MVP Girls 2019 which promises to be even BIGGER and BETTER! We are expecting a record registration. Please make sure to register early so you don’t get closed out. Check your emails for MVP 2019 info.
For more information please go to our website themvpcamps.com or email [email protected].
