York County basketball campers learn skills, life lessons

Winthrop University basketball players Mitch Hill and Rod Perkins clapped loudly as Ella Fink grabbed the ball and hunkered down.

She didn’t pass the ball, or dribble. Instead, she tucked the ball tight to her tummy, stooped, and then ran past opponent Maguire Davis.

Frink and Davis were among the campers at the Bounce Out the Stigma basketball camp – a national basketball clinic for kids with special needs. The York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs partnered with Bounce Out the Stigma for the camp at Northwestern High School. It was one of eight basketball camps in several states this summer.

Running around the basketball court among the kids and a few adults were several Winthrop men’s basketball players and coaches. They all had smiles and they all gave high-fives.

Winthrop assistant coach Marty McGillan said the camp was especially important to him because he holds a degree in special education. “It’s the best,” he said. “I just wanted to be a part of it.”

The gym echoed with the sounds of whistles and shoes scuffing the floors, just like any basketball practice. The players all had one objective: to shoot and score points, but there was no pressure or boos if they didn’t make the shot – only clapping and cheers.

Camper Jason Lofton, who came to the clinic to work under the guidance of great coaches, and to perfect his game, said, “I’m having the best time of my life, it has been a blast.”

Camp founder Mike Simmel said, “the object of the camp is to teach kids and empower them using the game of basketball. The basic premise of the camp is to teach kids that limits will not define me — my will defines my limits.”

Campers and counselors alike wore the slogan on mustard-colored shirts as they dribbled balls signed by Winthrop coaches and players.

Often, children are stigmatized because of the limits that are placed on them, Simmel said.

“They can do anything they want as long as they believe in themselves, they work hard and they have faith,” he said.

Simmel started Bounce Out the Stigma 10 years ago. He was motivated by a seizure incident at his childhood camp. Counselors called his parents and told him to go home. He refused.

Michelle Shaffer, assistant executive director for the board and MaxAbilities, which is part of the government-funded service, said she understands how hard it is for parents of children with special needs to “fill up” their children’s summer schedules.

“We wanted to provide them with an option they hadn’t had before,” Shaffer said.

The kids received their own basketball, a T-shirt, a medal and goodie bag after the camp’s final hour on Friday. They also got a message from Simmel.

“There is no ‘can’t’ in life,” Simmel told the campers.

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 6:09 PM with the headline "York County basketball campers learn skills, life lessons."