Let this be the summer that your family begins the sport of a lifetime! The Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club wants to get you on the courts. With the goal of growing the sport, the WOTC will be sponsoring both youth and adult camps.
Five age-based youth and adult tennis camps will be presented this summer at the Oglebay Tennis Facility.
Debbie Pickens, WOTC president, explains, “Getting more participants of all ages is crucial to the survival of our sport. So the WOTC Board of Directors allocated the funds necessary to offer these camps and make professional tennis instruction available to youth and adults.”
The youth and adult camps will begin the week of June 19-23 and run for four weeks. Teaching professionals John Chatlak and Jeremy McClelland, assisted by WOTC volunteers, will conduct the camps.
Youth camps, geared toward beginner and intermediate level players, will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The camp for youth ages 9 to 12 will be held from 10 am to noon on these Mondays: June 19, June 26, July 10, and July 17.
The camp for youth ages 5-6 will be offered from 10 am to 11 am on these Wednesdays: June 21, June 28, July 5, and July 12.
The camp for 7-8 year-olds will be from 11 am to noon on these Wednesdays: June 21, June 28, July 5, and July 12.
The camp for youth ages 13 to 18 will be from 10 am to noon on the following Wednesdays: June 21, June 28, July 5, and July 12.
An adult tennis camp will be offered for beginner and intermediate level players (ages 19 and over) beginning on Thursday evening, June 22.
The camp will be from 6 to 8 pm on the following Thursdays: June 22, June 29, July 6, and July 13. McClelland, assisted by WOTC volunteers, will run the adult camp. A social hour with refreshments will follow the on-court activities.
Participants for youth and adult camps should wear athletic apparel and tennis shoes. Racquets are provided.
Instruction will be based on age and ability and include techniques for the forehand, backhand, volley, overhead, and serve. Procedures for playing games and scoring will also be given to those who are ready for match-play. Younger participants will also have activities designed to increase balance and coordination.
Cost for all four weeks of youth or adult camp is $20. Anyone interested can sign-up by emailing the WOTC at wheelingoglebaytennisclub@gmail.com. Information, a flier, and a registration form are also available at the Oglebay tennis shop (304-243-4040). Registration forms, requiring a parent signature, can be completed on the first day of camp.
The WOTC and the Wheeling Park Commission have offered adult and youth “Grow the Game” clinics. Many of the participants have continued to play. Saun Capehart, one of the camp organizers, explains, “We hope that we are able to get lots of children and adults on the courts and have them realize that there are physical and social benefits to the game of tennis.”
Adult participants will be invited to join the WOTC and to attend round robins and other club events.
Youth participants will learn about Millie Mulhern Youth Tennis, the Elementary Play Days, and the OVAC High School Kick-off, all events sponsored by the WOTC.
The Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club is an organization member of the United States Tennis Association, the Community Tennis Association, and the National Junior Tennis and Learning.
