Seafirst/Sonic Hoops Camps -- Jammin' The Right Stuff

HUNDREDS of boys and girls from age 7 to 18 will be participating this summer in a novel basketball-camp program as exciting as a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer.

What sets the Seafirst/Sonics Jammin' Hoops Camps apart from the crowd is blending the fundamentals of basketball with education, motivation and social values.

Seattle SuperSonics players, with coaches and players from area high schools and colleges, will be teaching kids basketball skills plus the values of staying off drugs, being good citizens and doing their best in school.

It won't end there. Each participant automatically will be enrolled in an ``after-care'' program that will monitor the student's progress during the school year. Also, a $1,000 college scholarship will be awarded to a high-school senior at each camp.

Seafirst Bank's financial support and the cooperation of parks departments across the state make the camps free at 24 locations in 9 cities. Initial sessions were held the past week at eight sites in Seattle. Camps will follow in Olympia, Tacoma, Centralia, Bellingham, Yakima, Spokane, Wenatchee and Richland. More camps will be held at eight Seattle locations in early August.

Seafirst, the Sonics and the parks departments deserve a hand for this innovative program. It's a winner.