Rising Stars ends summer season with
sold-out slam dunk finale at select camp
held on the LuHi campus

Rising Stars camp season was unique in 2010 as it marked the first time in 25 years that it ran day camps with another program other than a Rising Stars affiliate.

That program was the two week Rising Stars basketball session held at the end of June and marked the beginning of the Rising Stars 2010 summer at Long Island Lutheran.

Rising Stars camp director Danny Gimpel explained, “It was an easy decision for us to make here at Rising Stars. LuHi is a legend when it comes to summer camps. The level of the facilities they have here in Brookville, and the level of organization they possess is unbelievable.

“They operate dozens of sports camps, for thousands of kids, each week of the summer as if it was one camp of a dozen. I was very impressed.”

The feeling was mutual at LuHi as the Danny and Rising Stars demonstrated why they were America’s foremost instructional program to the kids at the camp. LuHi directors and staff were happy with the results and coach Gimpel continued the legacy of having a top notch basketball camp continue to kick off the summer.

Rising Stars CEO Jay Williams also added to the fun at the camp.

Jay thrilled the campers with a demonstration of dribbling and shooting that left no doubt as to why he was named the nations finest collegiate player two years running.

The summer season ended August 26 with a buzzer beater in the championship game of the Rising Stars sold out four day elementary select camp.

Only 60 kids are enrolled each summer in what parents feel is the best experience a child could have at a basketball camp.

Diane Kramer was one of many parents that had more than one son at the camp. Her boys have attended every session Rising Stars has offered since 3rd grade and currently play on its 7th and 9th grade travel teams respectively.

Mrs. Kramer states, “Rising Stars is more than a camp to all the parents that have kids here. It’s an extension of family. Looking around I recognize parents that have been here since the beginning like I have.

More than that, we all see coaches and counselors that return from the program that are mentors and role models for our kids.”

Here, from day one, every kid has a ball in hand and is involved every minute in becoming a better player.

By camps end they are exhausted but completely happy and satisfied that they got what they came here for, and more.

Thats the same feeling we all have as parents. It’s amazing to see so many of the same faces every summer. They must be doing something right.”

The summer camp season may be over but the Rising Stars relationship with LuHi is just beginning. There are plans to make LuHi a center of instruction for Rising Stars throughout the year.Skills development clinics will be offered beginning with boys in grade 4 and will include sessions in the fall on how to make your HS team.