Even in a place as naturally gorgeous as the Lowcountry, it can be a chore to keep kids active during the summer. Sure we have beaches and bike paths and opportunities for golf and tennis galore, but even with these treasures at their disposal, too many kids can’t resist the siren song of video games and all-day cartoon binges.
But those poor kids who spend their summer indoors are missing out on some serious fun. The Lowcountry is a sun-kissed playground, and The First Tee – The Lowcountry’s summer camps are offering the best way to get out there and enjoy it.
“Our summer camps are a little different from our classes,” said Program Director Aaron Immel. “We’re still teaching kids golf skills and life skills, but the camps are a little more fun oriented.”
That’s saying a lot, given that First Tee’s summer classes are incredibly popular for local youth looking to polish their golf game and reconnect with friends over the summer. Held at the organization’s massive Gumtree Road facility, with its six-hole par-three course, these classes take a different approach to golf instruction.
Summer camps run four days a week, 9-11 a.m. Monday-Thursday, for seven separate weeks this season, giving parents every opportunity to get their kid out there.
Along with the long and short of their long game and their short game, students at First Tee classes learn valuable life skills, highlighting key values like honesty, integrity and perseverance. It’s not just about making them better golfers – it’s about making them better people. Even their regular classes provide students with a framework of fun on which to build these values, so you can imagine what happens when First Tee decided to crank up the fun.
“There are all sorts of fun activities that go along with golfing, like golf baseball, water balloons, relay races… it’s a little more laid back and a little more just for the fun of it,” said Immel.
These summer camps run four days a week, 9-11 a.m. Monday-Thursday, for seven separate weeks this season, giving parents every opportunity to get their kid out there. “You can sign up for multiple weeks or just one week, and it’s really great for someone who has kids or grandkids coming into town for the week who want to give them something to do in the morning,” said Immel. “We welcome all out-of-towners and anyone coming to visit.”
The cost for a week-long camp is $160, but Immel points out that financial aid is “very available,” adding, “If you apply for financial aid, we’ll approve it at 100 percent.”
And once the child is signed up, all they need to do is show up. “If they’re new to the game, they can just bring themselves. Anything else they need, we’ll provide,” said Immel.
To sign up for camps or learn more, visit firstteelowcountry.org.
Along with the long and short of their long game and their short game, students at First Tee classes learn valuable life skills, highlighting key values like honesty, integrity and perseverance.
