CNO Summer camps teach more than just sports skills

For approximately 20 years, the Choctaw Nation has been keeping kids active while teaching them skills they can use for the rest of their lives through a variety of Summer Camps. In 2021, around 1000 different kids registered for several camps, resulting in 3500 total registrations.

Some of the camps available to young tribal members and employees’ children range from the more typical summer camps offerings such as football, basketball, baseball, and cheer camp to more unique offerings like cultural camp and wildlife camp.

Javen White, director of youth events and activities, said, “Our goal is really to offer kids an extracurricular activity outside of their schools that they can come and be a part of. To learn skills and fundamentals…at that particular camp.”

During this year’s camp, one new skill taught is traditional Choctaw foods as part of the cultural camp. “They get to see how it’s made, [the food] and how some of our elders produce these meals,” said White. According to White, the cultural camps also gave kids the opportunity to learn about traditional beading, basket weaving and traditional bow shooting. “We want to continue to see our kids learning at a young age to keep those traditions alive,” explained White.

When it comes to youth summer camps, football is often one of the more popular camps. Football camps were conducted by Day of Champions run by Coach Ken Heupel. Heupel is a former NCAA coach and the father of 2000 Heisman Trophy runner-up Josh Heupel.

Day of Champions also brings in coaches and players from various colleges, universities, and the National Football League, all focusing on skills that are not only useful across all sports but can be utilized in everyday life.

“Once we get them here, we’re teaching them not only the fundamentals of football, but we’re also teaching them the fundamentals of life: discipline, respect, trust, and hard work,” said Coach Heupel.

Introducing the kids to a strict timetable and using the college and professional athletes and coaches demonstrates what can be achieved. These role models provide a glimpse into their potential futures.

Hard work and discipline can pay off. “What you really see is the positive and the discipline. The respect and trust in hard work when they’re done with the camp,” said Heupel.

“It’s just such a wonderful experience for them to get to socialize outside of their comfort zones, but also learn from professionals in whatever particular topic it is that we’re working on that week. We’ve just had a wonderful year. It’s just been so good to see the kids’ faces again and get to actually be out here and interacting with them. I know that they definitely feel the same because they’ve been so excited that we’re back in action this year,” said White.