The Gift of Summer
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
Summer camp is a gift—a gift of fun, friendship, adventure, and childhood memories that last a lifetime. This June, Youth Tennis San Diego and the SCTA Foundation were proud to provide that gift to four deserving boys from the City Heights community: Roberto, Leo, Cameron, and Bill.
All four boys are current participants in the Rise Up Leadership Academy at the Urban Village Recreation Center, located in City Heights. Throughout the school year, they attend Youth Tennis San Diego's onsite tennis lessons on the community courts, building their skills, confidence, and love for the game week after week. When the SCTA Foundation generously provided the summer camp scholarship opportunity, YTSD knew exactly who should receive the gift! For one week this summer, the boys traded their daily routine for a new adventure at the Barnes Tennis Center. With transportation provided each day by YTSD, they were picked up from Urban Village Recreation Center and welcomed into a summer camp experience many children often take for granted.
Every detail was thoughtfully provided to ensure the boys felt included and part of the team. They received all needed equipment - sport backpacks, water bottles, rackets, morning snacks, daily lunches from the Barnes Café, and most importantly, a sense of belonging. Throughout the week, Barnes camp coaches introduced a different tennis skill each day, including forehands, backhands, volleys, serves, and rally play. The boys were also given the opportunity to explore other racket sports, including pickleball and padel. While the camp focused on tennis and teamwork, the experience offered so much more.
For these young players, the week provided a glimpse into a world filled with opportunity. It showed them new places, new experiences, and new possibilities. It allowed them to see that dedication, hard work, and a willingness to learn can open doors to experiences they may have never imagined. At Youth Tennis San Diego, our mission is not only to introduce youth to the sport of tennis but also to create pathways for future opportunities. Through affordable programs, scholarships, mentorship, and community support, we hope to inspire young players to dream big, build confidence, and discover their potential both on and off the court.
To celebrate the end of an unforgettable week, the boys enjoyed a special trip to Corvette Diner in Liberty Station. Each camper received a game card, lunch, and a milkshake as they reflected on a week filled with learning, laughter, friendship, and fun! Our hope is that the memories created during those five days will stay with them for years to come - as we believe the summer camp experience was about much more than tennis lessons. It was about creating childhood memories. It was about expanding horizons. It was about showing four boys from City Heights that there is a world of opportunity waiting for those who work hard, believe in themselves, and dare to dream big.
We are proud of all of our players throughout the community, especially Roberto, Cameron, Leo and Bill and we look forward to watching them continue their tennis journeys and achieve future success along the way! We will continue to encourage them to stay involved in the sport through our local Park & Recreation programs and hope they join their future high school tennis teams one day! More importantly, we hope they continue to dream big, embrace new opportunities, and believe in all they are capable of achieving both on and off the court.
In addition, Youth Tennis San Diego is incredibly grateful to Linda Milan and the SCTA Foundation for making this unforgettable experience possible. The scholarships provided much more than a week of tennis—it created lasting childhood memories, new friendships, and a glimpse into the many possibilities that await these young players. As the week came to an end, young Roberto summed up the impact best when he asked, "Can I do this camp again next year?" For us, there could be no greater measure of success!
💛 We Can’t Do This Without You
Every day, YTSD brings tennis, mentorship, and educational support to children who need it most, at no cost to their families. These programs aren’t just about sport. They’re about building confidence, character, and opportunity. But none of it is possible without the generosity of supporters like you.
🌟 Ways to Give and Make an Immediate Impact
Site Sponsor – $10,000
Fully fund a YTSD program site for an entire year, impacting dozens of youth with consistent instruction, equipment, and academic support.
Session Sponsor – $5,000
Sponsor a 10–12 week season of tennis and life skills training for 20 children in an under-resourced community.
Scholarship Sponsor – $1,000
Give one child a full year of tennis coaching, tutoring, and equipment, opening doors to lasting transformation.
General Sponsor – $1–$999
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