MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Corps Community Services’ Youth Sports Division completed a two-week sports camp for 74 children on the air station at IronWorks Gym, Aug. 20.
During the two-week camp, children from 7 to 15 years old learned or honed their skills in basketball, dodgeball, football and volleyball.
“(The camp) helps them with their skills and to learn from a different type of coaching style coming from Marines,” said Xavier Romero, MCCS youth sports coordinator.
“These guys have done a great job with the kids,” he added.
During their final day, the 10 to12-year-olds and the 13- to 15-year-olds learned volleyball, while the 7- to 9-year-olds basically played a variety of games including dodgeball, kickball and a modified form of tag.
The day began with all participants performing a warm-up exercise and stretching out. While the older children endured a standard stretch routine, the 7- to 9-year-olds ran around playing a human version of Pac-Man.
Then the children were introduced to volleyball at a very rudimentary level.
The 7- to 9-year-olds moved quickly onto a game of tag. Two children were “it,” but all of the children were only allowed to run along the black lines of one basketball court.
If one or both of the two “it” children needed some extra mobility to run down their quarries, they could opt to grab one of the two bright neon sports balls from the center of the court. Once carrying the ball, the “it” child had 30 seconds not being confined to the black lines.
Eventually the 7- to 9-year-olds moved onto dodgeball and then kickball.
Several of the children from this group agreed dodgeball was their favorite sport.
“Dodgeball because you get to get people out and throw the ball at them,” said 7-year-old Declan Derossette.
Declan said he learned blocking has to be done with a ball and not the hands during dodgeball.
Meanwhile the 10- to 12-year-olds began by learning some of volleyball’s fundamentals.
Beginning at a very basic level, MWSS-171 volunteers Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Gray, Sgt. Jonathon Hignett and Cpl. Travis Angel taught the children setting the ball, serving and returning.
“I’ve worked with all of (the age groups),” said Hignett. “It’s been fun, and I learned how to play the sports better myself.”
The 13- to 15-year-olds were under the tutelage of volunteer Chrystal Johnson who played four years in college.
“It's just really fun learning new stuff,” said Carson Russell, 12, of his experience at sports camp.
Johnson taught them how to refine their serves and returns and also schooled them on more advanced techniques such as spiking.
“The most fun for me was the kids,” said Johnson.
“I feel like they’ve taught me a lot about coaching,” she added.
After several hours of volleyball, the volunteers, with some concerted effort, rounded all the children up to receive T-shirts and certificates.
Lt. Col. Michael C. Taylor, MWSS-171 commanding officer, presented the children with certificates signifying their successful completion of sports camp.
To round out the day, the children and volunteer coaches enjoyed a barbeque behind IronWorks Gym.