Every July, the campus of Catawba College in Salisbury transforms into a lively hub where elementary and middle‑school students gather for a basketball camp that has become a cornerstone of local youth programming.
Faith‑Driven Community Initiative
The event is spearheaded by Promise City Church and The Reach Church, with additional support from a network of neighborhood organizations. Pastor Derrick Hawkins and Pastor Bradley Taylor, both raised in Salisbury, describe their own childhood experiences as the catalyst for creating a space where faith and sport intersect to nurture positive development.
This year the camp welcomed 298 registrants, with roughly 260 youngsters attending each day. The high turnout reflects a growing appetite among families for structured, community‑centered activities that go beyond the court.
Next Gen Academy, a co‑facilitator of the program, brings its expertise in youth outreach and crime‑prevention to the mix. By pairing athletic instruction with tutoring and college‑visit excursions, the academy helps steer participants toward brighter futures while reinforcing the camp’s broader mission of reducing local crime rates.
Partnerships Enrich the Program
Catawba College contributes the venue and facilities, granting campers a glimpse of a university environment that many would not otherwise experience. The collaboration also involves the Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation, Nick Means, and Chick‑fil‑A, each providing resources that amplify the camp’s reach and impact.
The camp’s structure deliberately mirrors the values Pastor Hawkins cherished in his own youth — emphasizing character, sportsmanship and inclusivity across race and gender. This intentional design fosters a sense of belonging that extends beyond the game.
Organizers repeatedly stress that the camp’s success hinges on sustained community support and a shared faith in the power of collective effort. As the program looks ahead, they hope to expand its footprint, ensuring that more Salisbury families can benefit from this unique blend of athletics, education and spiritual guidance.