Joe Toppe

Staff Writer

EASLEY — Easley First Baptist and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will hold its annual basketball camp in Easley from July, 16 to July, 19.

The camp is free and welcomes all rising third through eighth graders to the Larry Bagwell Gymnasium 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day.

The FCA was founded in 1954, and uses sports and the influence of athletes and coaches

to deliver a Christian message.

In collaboration with Easley First Baptist, the camp will offer basketball instruction as well as a daily theme.

The daily theme will center on a spiritual premise.

“The main goal behind the basketball camp is to offer something free to children within the community that would not normally be able to attend such an event due to the high prices of similar camps today. We not only offer them an opportunity to learn about the sport of basketball free of charge, but we also feed them, provide daycare, and talk to them about Christ,” said Paige Talley, Administrative Associate at Easley First Baptist.

Last year’s camp saw 400 campers, 30 collegiate and high school basketball counselors, and 50 adult volunteers participate.

The 2012 camp will feature 28 counselors from local colleges. All of which are active members of the FCA.

“Not all of the counselors are basketball players. Some of them are soccer, baseball or football athletes, but they are all Christian athletes, and this is why we work with the FCA,” said Talley.

Bryan Narcisse, a former Clemson basketball player and recent draftee of the famed Harlem Globetrotters, will be serving as one of the camp’s chief counselors and will participate the entire week.

He is also a member of the FCA.

Registration forms are available at Easley First Baptist, Easley Recreation Department, and the Pickens County YMCA.

For more information contact the Easley First Baptist Church 864-859-4052.