Community Corner
Westchase Sports Camp Offers More Than Game Playing
Tampa Elite Sports Academy camp offers campers coaching and training as well as a fun place to enjoy a variety of sports.
Many students will spend their summer playing video games and, to the dismay of their parents, only their fingers will get a workout. This won't happen for kids who attend the Tampa Elite Sports Academy.
Owner, Dewey Paxon, believes that a camp or after school program should provide more than just recreational activities for kids.
Paxon believes children need to get outside, be active and really learn about the sports that they participate.
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"Most camps let kids play games, we want kids to understand the rules and know the fundamentals of the sports that they play," Paxon said.
A week earlier, Paxon organized a special 3-day football camp that featured instruction from former NFL players, Cosey Coleman, Charlie Garner and Anthony Davis.
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"The football camp went great and I think it filled a void that was left when former Buccaneer, Mike Alstott, stopped doing his football camp," said Paxon.
In addition to teaching campers about the rules and fundamentals of sports like football, baseball and basketball, campers are taught how to train and learn techniques to make them better at those sports.
Jairen, 10, feels that since attending camp his skills as a basketball player have improved significantly.
"They showed me to slow down, take my time and get my form right and I make a lot more shots now," Jairen said.
Hailey, 11, likes playing flag football, but admits that if it weren't for camp she probably wouldn't spend a lot of time outside.
"The younger campers love running around and playing games like Octopus, Red Light/Green Light and Dodgeball," said Alix Fiorino, a counselor at the camp.
Elite Sports has been open for 2 years and offers after school care during the school year. The camp recently joined with Rising Stars Dance Academy to offer campers an opportunity to add dancing to the curriculum.
They also offer karate classes twice a week.
Tampa Elite Sports Academy is located at 8001 Sheldon Road
Tampa, FL 33615 and is open from 7 am - 6:30 pm. Cost is $120 per week. For more information you can visit their website: TampaEliteSportsAcademy.com