Pleasant Grove Baptist Church will host the "Hoops for Christ" basketball camp for area youth on July 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clingman Community Center. The camp will focus on basic fundamentals that youth can improve and will be offered for free. Area youth, ages 19 and under are encouraged to attend.

"The fundamentals of the sport are important to know," said Youth Pastor Shane Burcham, "but our main goal is to teach these kids a message."

The camp will feature different stations focusing on different, basic fundamentals, covering basic defensive stances, to dribbling, and even working lay up techniques. "We hope to be able to teach some of the basic techniques, but there will also be some pick up games being played as well," Burcham said.

The church is currently reaching out for community volunteers to help run the camp. East Wilkes Women's Varsity Basketball Coach, Billy Brown will help coordinate the camp, as well as other church volunteers.

"Our goal is to reach out to area youth. This camp will give kids an opportunity to come learn fundamentals of basketball at no cost," said Burcham.

This is the first year the camp is being offered. "We want to reach our children here," Burcham said.

The camp will feature a free lunch provided by the church, door prizes, and a guest speaker. "Our main goal is to teach Christ through the game of basketball," Burcham said.

"Based on how well this year turns out, we hope to be able to continue this next year. We already have 30 or 40 kids signed up, and are hoping for more," Burcham said.

For more information on the camp, call Holly Burcham at 957-2704.