MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WUSA9) — Dozens of kids in Montgomery County are heading back to school on Tuesday with a story to tell about spring break.
Coach Joseph Hooks along with several other coaches and community partners gave young people a chance to do something over spring break.
“We was like oh. We were just hyped,” Elijah Jonathan Frazier said.
More than 80 children between the 5th and 8th grades played basketball, football, and other sports.
“Usually some spring break camps cost over $200 to supervise and feed kids,” Hooks explained.
Some families cannot afford the price tag of giving their children something constructive to do.
“It is kind of hard to see your friend— just to see your friend walking around and stuff and you at a camp,” Frazier told WUSA9.
However, the price tag for the program held in the Montgomery Village area was free.
Aside from the sports, students ate donated food, scored some new gear, and learned life lessons.
Howard Jones, who is a professional football player with the Chicago Bears, spoke to students and answered questions.
“I learned that I have to share the ball with everybody, and it is not just me,” Khalil Ferguson told WUSA9.
The camp turned out to be a cost-free chance for students in need to learn and have a fair shot.
“There is a forgotten demographic of young people that just need to be shown that they matter,” Clarence McNeary, who was a counselor at the camp, said.
“These kids are at promise. A lot of times you hear at risk, but I think they have very promising futures if we just stay with them,” Hooks said.
Many of the students and parents want to see more free programs like this in their community.
The group hopes to get financial assistance from the county council to put on the program again next year.
