By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — June 28, 2005 – For the first time in its proud 37-year history, Kutsher’s Sports Academy will offer a day camp this summer.
The day camp will be held from Sunday, July 17 and Saturday, August 6 at Kutsher’s Sports Academy, which is located on Anawana Lake Road in Monticello.
The KSA camp will offer youngsters a wide variety of sports and the instructors will include a number of professional athletes.
KSA will offer two options for those interested. Families can choose either the full three-week session or a two-week session. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and attendees may choose any sport or activity on the campus to enjoy during those hours. In addition, they will receive a continental breakfast and lunch.
Or the children can attend the camp from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Those boys and girls who choose that option will receive all of the aforementioned benefits plus dinner as well as the opportunity to participate in a sports league of their choice.
Shuttle service will transport children from the KSA camp throughout the Monticello area, including White Lake.
The day camp will feature four big-time clinics that include instruction by professional athletes. New York Mets slugger Cliff Floyd, who is currently having one of the best offensive seasons in Major League Baseball, will be conducting one of them. New York Mets reliever Heath Bell is also scheduled to run a session.
For basketball enthusiasts, Sean May, who led the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to the NCAA Division I national championship back in April and is expected to be one of the first players selected in tonight’s National Basketball Association draft, will hold a clinic. Former University of Kansas standout and current Seattle Supersonics center Nick Collison will also instruct a session.
Another first for the KSA camp this summer will be trips to professional games. Between August 7 and 14, the camp will offer two separate trips – at a fee – for camp attendees between the ages of 12 and 17.
For baseball fans, the camp will be taking a charter, air-conditioned bus to five MLB stadiums, three sports Halls of Fame and two amusement parks. The stadiums are: Shea Stadium in Queens, home of the New York Mets; Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, home ballpark of the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees; Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox; Citizens Bank Park, home ballpark of the Philadelphia Phillies; and Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. The youngsters will also visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta.
In addition, they will spend time at Six Flags Great Adventure in Massachusetts and King’s Dominion in Baltimore.
Golf players between the ages of 12 and 17 will also have a air-conditioned charter bus ready to take them to the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Course in Springfield, Mass. The children will also be able to play some of the finest golf courses in the Northeast, including Mansion Ridge in Monroe, En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, Conklin Players Club in Conklin and Branton Woods Country Club in Hopewell Junction.
“Over the years, local parents have asked for a day camp,” said KSA camp co-owner and director Marc White.
He said he was excited to finally be offering one, and is looking forward to see how it goes this year.
“We have many new, exciting programs at KSA,” White commented.
The sleep-over camp starts today and runs through Saturday, August 20. There will be three different sessions for families to choose from and children may attend all three if they want.
Among the sports available at the camp, are: baseball, basketball, golf, roller hockey, tennis, lacrosse, gymnastics, wrestling, karate, sailing, swimming, waterskiing, canoeing, boating, fishing, fitness and weight training and track and field. Non-athletic activities include computers and arts and crafts.
For more information about the KSA day camp and sports trips, parents may call 794-5400 or log on to www.kutsherssportsacademy.com.