The No Kid Left Behind Basketball Camp in Watertown, New York, celebrated the culmination of its inaugural season, bringing together nearly forty youngsters after a summer that began with only two participants.
What started as a modest gathering on Sunday afternoons has quickly evolved into a vibrant community program, drawing in young athletes from across the city and providing them with structured basketball instruction.
Camp founder Andres Rivera, who launched the initiative three months ago, described the turnout as a “phenomenal day for the kids,” highlighting the mixture of skill drills, friendly competition, and a celebratory awards ceremony.
Looking ahead
Rivera plans to expand the camp’s reach next year, adding educational support services at Eastbrook Apartments during the school year, aiming to blend athletic development with academic enrichment.
The program’s rapid growth has surprised even its creator, who now envisions a sustainable model that can be replicated in other underserved neighborhoods across the region.
Participants left the final session with new skills, back‑to‑school supplies, and a sense of accomplishment, underscoring the camp’s dual focus on sport and community uplift.