This summer, local children can grab their running shoes, a bottle of water, a hat and some sunscreen and take the opportunity to have fun and make friends through a variety of summer sports camps at Durham College.

Developed by the college’s Athletics department as a means of showcasing the state-of-the-art sports facilities to youth, this summer marks the 27th year of providing sports camps at Durham College, and the fifth year being voted one of the top summer camps in Durham Region.

Children can register to improve their skills in a variety of sports including basketball, golf, badminton, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball and tennis or they can sign up for the multisport camp and get a chance to experience a variety of sports and games.

Michael Duggan, summer sports camp co-ordinator, said when these camps started, they only offered two sports, but have continued to phase in more activities with each new summer.

“This year, we will be introducing floorball, an upbeat version of floor hockey,” he said.

Head coaches from Durham College varsity sport teams, local high schools, club programs and other colleges and universities will be banding together to form a highly qualified lineup of staff to ensure constant entertainment and optimal results for campers.

“Wayne King is the head coach for the University of Toronto badminton team, but he loves to teach badminton at our summer camps,” said Duggan.

More than 500 campers are expected to enrol in this summer’s camps and youth are encouraged to return and serve as camp counsellors once they reach the proper age.

Lunch programs are available as part of the camp schedules as well as morning and afternoon caretaking programs for parents who start work early or end late to accommodate various family schedules.

“(Our objective is) to give kids the opportunity to experience what Durham College is all about, to see the facilities to promote (the college) within our community and to offer programs where kids can go and have fun,” said Duggan.

In addition to a variety of sports offerings, Durham College also offers a number of special interest camps including music, photography and design. For more information, please visit the summer camps website.