Does your son want to cap off the summer of 2014 with an exciting sport filled week? Look no further. Camp Mesorah is bringing back SportStar Academy. MGBL co-commissioner and RYNJ basketball coach Steve Gutlove is excited to be the camp’s new director.
Coach Steve sat down with the JLBC to give Bergen County a clearer picture of what Sporstar is all about.
JLBC: What is Sportstar Academy?
SG: Sportstar Academy is an all-boys sleep-away program for boys going into grades 3 and up, which will run Monday August 18 through Friday August 22, on the Camp Mesorah campus.
JLBC: What sports will be offered?
SG: Your son can choose to have an intense sports experience in either basketball, golf, tennis, Geerz mountain biking, or hockey. We will have professional coaches and trainers for each specialty. Not only is our staff well trained in their given sport, but they are also mensches and great role models. We are excited to have Rabbi Stephen Knapp, principal of WDS and Mr. Hockey, spearheading our hockey program. Yisroel Feld, Yeshiva University standout and Skyline Rookie of the Year, will be joining our basketball program. Our goal is for each boy to have the opportunity to grow and develop in his chosen sport and have a great time doing it! Not only can the boys look forward to an action packed day, but we have exciting night activities planned for them as well!!!
JLBC: Is this program only open to Camp Mesorah Campers?
SG: Some of the boys coming to Sportstar will be Mesorah campers, and for many others this will be their first taste of Camp Mesorah. If your son is at another camp, we will gladly pick him up. There will also be group pick-up locations in many local communities.
JLBC: Does one need to be a sport star to attend Sportstar?
SG: Not at all. The SportStar model is all about teaching every child at his own pace. It will be a great fit for the seasoned athlete, but also for one who is trying out a new sport (and the whole spectrum in between). We believe that teaching skills along with the value of good sportsmanship and teamwork, will help benefit the boys both on and off the court
JLBC: Would Sportstar be a good fit for a boy who has never been to sleep-away camp?
SG: This is a great opportunity for both boys who are sleep-away camp “veterans” and for those who will be going away for the first time as well. For boys who will be at sleep-away camp during the summer, this will be yet another week of overnight fun!! However, if this is your son’s first experience away from home, it’s a great opportunity to get a sampling of what sleep-away camp is like. With only committing to four nights and five days away from home, your son can enjoy the experience of being away from home short-term and look forward to coming home that Shabbos jam-packed with exciting stories of his adventures!
For more information about pricing or group discounts, feel free to contact Steve directly at [email protected]
