- November 1, 2024
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The youth tennis camp featured 12 kids from the area. They practice at the Belle Terre Park. Photo by Ray Boone
Aveline Zayko, 7, practices bouncing a ball up and down. Photo by Ray Boone
Logan Iacovelli practices bouncing a ball. Photo by Ray Boone
Riley Hertel swings low to scoop a bouncing ball. Photo by Ray Boone
Sophia DeMaio, 8, smiles as her partner tries to return a shot. Photo by Ray Boone
For the past several years, Palm Coast Parks and Recreation has hosted its youth tennis camps at the city’s premier tennis destination: the Palm Coast Tennis Center, a 10-clay court facility along Belle Terre Parkway.
However, the center wasn't conducive to holding a productive and inclusive camp, Parks and Recreation tennis professional Michael Orrigo said.
Because of the center’s lack of indoor facilities and other extracurriculars, the hours for the camps were relatively short — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It was difficult to get kids to come to the camps because of the parents’ conflicts with work.
That was in the back of the city’s mind when officials decided to move the camp from the Palm Coast Tennis Center to Belle Terre Park in February. And on Monday, July 30, the city held the last session of its summer youth tennis camp at the new location, which, in addition to tennis courts, features the Frieda Zamba pool and indoor areas with air conditioning.
The camp’s new hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Even though the Palm Coast Tennis Center was the best place to play tennis, with the camp we’ve got to have some other activities, too,” Orrigo said. “It’s tough for kids to play tennis for seven hours straight.”
Orrigo added that the summer camp, which is for kids ages 6 to 14, focuses on introducing kids to the sport. If they decide to continue playing, they can sign up for the year-round after school program.
“I did a lot of camps when I was younger, and it was a really positive experience for me,” Orrigo said. “It can help you take that next step if you want it.”
