The Troy Lunsford Tennis Center will play host to the first Pike Liberal Arts School Mini Patriots Tennis Camp this summer.

The Patriots athletic department will be hosting numerous camps this summer, including softball and baseball on June 11-13 as well as a volleyball camp.

The Mini Patriots Tennis Camp will run from June 18-21 and will be offered for boys and girls in the first through the sixth grade.

The cost of the camp will be $50 per camper. Each participant will get a t-shirt, a cold snack and water.

The campers will get instruction from the Patriot tennis team fresh off their appearance in the state tournament at Lagoon Park in early April.

“Our tennis team has enough experience now that they are going to be instructing,” said head coach Amy Allen. “I am going to let them be in charge. I think it will be a good experience for them. It will probably help strengthen their skills and what they know. When you have to teach it to someone else, you learn a little bit more yourself.”

The focus of the tennis camp will be learning the main tennis strokes as well as learning to consistently hit the tennis ball.

“It’s really just an introduction thing,” Allen said. “We’re playing fun tennis games, learning the basics skills, learning tennis etiquette – we are hoping to generate some interest in some future varsity team players.”

The goal of the camp is teaching player etiquette and to improve the player’s tennis abilities in all areas. PLAS also wants to promote the game of tennis as a lifelong sport that contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

“I saw something on Facebook and it was saying that tennis, compared to other sports, is a game that can be played throughout your life,” Allen said. “It is one that if you participate in it, it generates a longer life. You want to be fit and healthy.”

The camp will run from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Players are required to provide their own racquet and must wear tennis shoes. They are also urged to bring water.