BANGOR, Maine — Sandy Thomas and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff are busy preparing for their fifth Bangor FCA Basketball Camp.
The clinic, which caters to youngsters ages 8-12, will teach basketball skills, but with an emphasis on how playing the game is a reflection of God’s plan for them.
“It’s a sports ministry that we have a vision to make an impact on the lives of coaches and athletes on their walk toward God,” said Sandy Thomas, a University of Maine athletics employee who will serve as the camp’s assistant director.
The Bangor FCA camp appears to have achieved that goal in the case of one former camper.
Earlier this week Thomas received an email from the mother of a 13-year-old who had attended the clinic last year.
“She invited me and [camp director] Amanda [Tewksbury] on Sunday to come to her daughter’s baptism,” Thomas. “When she talked to her pastor, he asked her how this all came to be, she said she accepted God at FCA camp last year.
“It just thrilled me,” Thomas said. “I was just so proud of this young lady that she’s taking this step.”
Thomas, a successful former women’s basketball coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said more than 100 young people committed themselves to Jesus Christ during a large FCA camp held recently at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.
“Just to have kids begin to understand that there’s something different than what the [physical] world has to offer [is rewarding],” Thomas said.
The Bangor Fellowship of Christian Athletes Basketball Camp will be held July 13-16 at Johnston Gymnasium on the campus of Eastern Maine Community College. It is open to girls and boys 8-12 and runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The cost is $150.
Tewksbury, a former UMaine women’s basketball standout who works full time with FCA, will direct the Bangor clinics. She is supported by Thomas, Dedham physical education teacher Tim Pearson and a staff of coaches and counselors.
The camp is co-ed for the first time this year, with boys now welcome.
“The huddle leaders do the devotions and the Bible studies with the kids in between the basketball coaching skill levels,” Thomas said.
The theme for this year’s camp is “Undefeated,” a reference to 1 Corinthians 15:57.
“It talks about how we’re victorious, always, with Christ. We’re undefeated with him,” Thomas said.
She is grateful to EMCC and athletics director Kent Corey in particular, for opening up their facilities for the camp.
Registration can be done online at fcacamps.org or will be accepted on the first day. For more information, contact Thomas at 207-949-0937 or via email SThomas@fca.org.