Church's sports camp gets kids, community involved

Nearly a hundred kids attended a Mega Sports Camp organized by Faith Community Church last week, ending in a cool way to conclude a very hot week.

The four-day event had community volunteers teaching elementary-age children the basics in football, soccer, basketball, and cheerleading, said Shannon Hitchcock from the church.

Hitchcock said the event was also designed to teach several core concepts important in sports and in life in general, including preparation, commitment, endurance, an all-in attitude, and an ability to follow the leader.

Some 96 children signed up, and many volunteers helped coach them, including some high-school age athletes.

On Thursday evening, after temperatures had neared 100, the kids lined up for ice cream in the shade of the big tent on loan from the chamber of commerce. Hitchcock served huckleberry.

Then they headed to the other end of the athletic field, where the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department had two trucks lined up with the biggest squirt guns you ever saw mounted on top.

An arc of glistening coolness steamed across the field, refracting the sun's light, negating its heat and producing squeals from delighted kids (and some adults).

Cool finale to end the camp.