ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A young athlete looking to learn some new skills or hoping keep current skills sharp and a youngster looking for a challenging new activity should look no further than the Robertsdale summer camp.

The camp, held three days a week at Robertsdale High, has been going on for about eight years, says Robertsdale High Athletic Director Scott Phelps. Phelps, also Robertsdale High’s football coach, serves as the camp’s director.

“Kids, of course, can go to more than one camp,” said Phelps. “It’s basically for three hours a day, but those kids are going to get worked.”

The camps are a lot of fun, Phelps says.

“The idea is to get some training in the sport,” said Phelps, “and it’s a chance to refine skills. The important thing is to give individuals a chance to have some fun and participate.”

Parents, Phelps says, must provide transportation for their youngsters to and from camp.

Right now, youngsters can sign up for a girls softball camp with Coach Kirby Baxter, July 14-16, from 8:30-11:30 a.m.; a cheerleading camp July 7-9, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. conducted by Coach Alicia Benton and the varsity cheerleaders, and a boys football camp with Phelps and his staff will be held July 28-30, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Phelps says the camp is $15 per week, a real bargain. Applications and complete information can be found at Robertsdale High and Robertsdale City Hall. Youngsters do not have to be Robertsdale residents to attned the camp.

“The coach of the high school sport is the coach of the camp,” said Phelps.

This give Robertsdale High and the young athlete an important advantage, says Phelps.

“The more kids meet and know me and the coaches better, the better it is for the school,” said Phelps. “We get to look at a kid and know if he or she has the skills, and if he or she is working on the sport.”

That was the situation with head basketball coach Marshall Davis. While there does not appear to be a Rajon Rondo or a Ray Allen in the group of youngsters Davis was leading earlier this month, it did appear that Davis was going to have a lot of enthusiasm and good effort under the rims for years to come.

“We get a look at what’s coming up,” said Davis, “and we have a good time going over the basics like dribbling, passing and shooting.”

“I like shooting, and learning about the game,” said Meredith Annan of Silverhill.

Davis was assisted by Robertsdale High junior Brandon Ellis.

“this has been a lot of fun,” said Ellis as he lifted one of the younger players a little closer to the basket.

Phelps appreciates the support the city has given him.

“We run this camp with the City of Robertsdale,” said Phelps. “We couldn’t do this without the support of Mayor Murphy and the city council. We give kids the opportunity to better themselves in a sport.”