MVP 2017, the premier Jewish, Orthodox girls basketball and tennis camp at Camp Seneca Lake, under the direction of Irv Bader and Carol & Judah Rhine, celebrated its ninth consecutive successful season. This year MVP introduced 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 six through 11, representing many schools throughout the tri-state area, participated, including: Moriah, Hillel Yeshiva, ASHAR, Ramaz, SAR, Magen David Yeshiva, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Barkai, YCQ, Shefa, Yeshiva Har Torah, Ma’ayanot, Westchester Day School, Noam, HALB, Yeshivah of Flatbush and others.
MVP Girls Basketball players were divided into two divisions and played many league games over the course of the four day camp. The games were competitive and exciting. Some of the counselors/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 her very own reversible MVP jersey featuring the new for 2017 MVP logo.
MVP Girls Tennis players were divided into two divisions and played many matches over the course of the four 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 which enhanced their improvement. Upon arrival, each MVP tennis player received her very own MVP tennis shirt featuring the new for 2017 MVP tennis logo.
Each day at MVP was filled with a jam packed schedule starting with Shacharit, followed by breakfast, and then a series of activities including clinics and tennis lessons, swim featuring the giant slide, lakefront boating, league games and tennis matches, after lunch visits to Seneca Sprinkles ice cream parlor, three on three and two on two competitions 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 barbeques gave MVP players across all the divisions and schools, the opportunity to interact and meet up with each other.
On Monday evening, all MVP girls boarded buses for a surprise trip to the movie theater in Honesdale, PA to see the movie “Leap!” Each girl was treated to a bag of kosher popcorn and a drink of soda or water. On the final night of MVP, the girls were treated to a special sushi and pizza menu topped off with a campfire and toasting marshmallows. Other special events that took place included the annual spectacular MVP challenge endurance competition. Games and matches were played on all the courts including the beautiful Seneca Park, featuring stadium seating. On the final day of MVP 2017, the championship games and matches for each division were played. The finals were followed by lunch and the annual closing award ceremonies, in which many trophies were distributed to champions from all the competitions that took place during the course of the week, including the MVP awards to the MVPs of each of the leagues. Each camper then received their very own MVP cinch sack and headband. Once the busses were boarded, everyone was already looking forward to MVP 2018.
In reviewing this year’s MVP experience, Co-Director Judah Rhine stated, “In addition to all the ‘on the court’ activities, ’off the court,’ the girls enjoyed making new friends from other yeshivot while enjoying a wonderful experience. For many, this was their first time at a sleepaway camp. MVP Girls Basketball and Tennis Camp gives girls a unique and one of a kind opportunity to play basketball and tennis, learn fundamental skills from top players and coaches along with other girls from the Tri-state area.”
This year, MVP was privileged to have legendary Yeshiva University Head Coach Johnny Halpert. Coach Halpert gave clinics to the campers and stated, “This is by far the best basketball program for Jewish basketball players.”
MVP had their resident staff including Barry Neuberger, associate athletic director at Columbia University, as well as others, who gave clinics to all the MVP players.
MVP has already started planning for MVP Girls 2018 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 2018 info.
For more information please email [email protected].
