The vision of our youth programs is to further prepare our youth for success by teaching them key values of teamwork, strategizing, positive sportsmanship, and faith-based morals through fun and engaging activities in a safe environment. The Joseph’s Basketball & Bible Camp is in honor of Joseph Arrington. Joseph Arrington was passionate about and active in sports, highly valued education, and he
had a big heart for helping and encouraging others to do their best. Joseph passed away of prostate cancer at the young age of 17 in September of 2004. The Joseph’s Basketball and Bible Camp began in 2005 as a week-long camp for basketball and Bible enrichment in honor of Joseph Arrington. The camp was a success and continued as a summer camp on Saturday evenings. For over 10 years, Joseph’s Basketball & Bible Camp has continued each summer providing the youth of Wilkinsburg a safe and nurturing place to gather on Saturday evenings – free of charge. The camp is split into two age groups: elementary (8-11) and teen (12-18). The elementary group receives basic basketball training, practice games, brief bible study, and a complete meal. The teen group is provided space for 2 hours of 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 games, a complete meal, and receives mentoring through facilitated discussions on moral values. The camp runs mid-June through mid-August; 6pm-8pm for ages 8-11, and 8:30pm-11pm for ages 12-18. As an extension of the summer camp, Christian Church of Wilkinsburg initiated Codename: SA.T.U.R.D.A.Y. (Simply teAching The yoUth moRal Decent vAlues todaY) on Saturday, September 20, 2014 to commence during the school year, so that the youth are provided a safe, fun, and educating environment on Saturdays throughout the year. The age range of the program is extended for ages 5-18, and runs mid-September through mid-May, 3pm-7:30pm. offers sports activities, board games, video game competitions, the screening of a current film, a complete meal, and prizes. The first 1.5 hours of the evening is focused on physically fitness; promoting kids to remain physically active and healthy through activities such as basketball, flag football, dodgeball, jump rope, Xbox Kinect games, riding scooters, etc. Following our fitness activities, we watch a 20-30 minute video clip of a current film and discuss the moral values presented – and how to apply those moral values. Participants are then provided a complete meal (fruit/vegetable/meat/bread/dairy), afterwards cleaning up as a team with assigned jobs. The final 1.5 hours of the program’s evening is focused on teamwork, positive sportsmanship, strategy development, and fair competition through board games, video game competitions, and sports competitions. If you have a child you’d like to participate in either of our programs, you are welcome to bring them and sign a permission slip upon arrival. If you would like to volunteer with or donate to either program, please contact Frank Tillman at [email protected].
