Graduate returns to operate camp

Jared Durham leads students at basketball camp. Photo by Charlie Kanzig

Justin Durham loved being part of the athletic program during his years at Sisters High School. The 1999 graduate's zeal -- especially for basketball -- prompted him to team up with his former coach, Rand Runco, to establish Champion Sports Camps, which held its inaugural basketball camp last week at Sisters High School.

Durham, who played on the Outlaws' sixth-place state team as a senior, wants to pass along the kind of experiences he had as a youngster to the next generation of kids.

"I couldn't get enough camps when I was a kid," he said. "I loved the atmosphere and excitement of the camp environment."

Basketball camps have been held in the past through SOAR and other groups in the past, so the idea of such a camp isn't new. But Durham wanted to be a part of it.

"I told Coach Runco that I would do all the administrative work to get things going if he would be available to lead the coaching and that's what we did," said Durham.

Durham expected about 30 campers and was pleasantly surprised to have a total of 48 eight- to 14-year-olds register.

"It was an unbelievable success in its first year," he said.

The campers spent three- and-a-half hours each day working on skill development in addition to what Durham describes as the heart and soul of camp.

"We emphasize character traits as focal points each day, including sportsmanship, responsibility, respect, servant leadership, and integrity," he said.

"Having a chance to examine and talk about these traits with kids within an athletic realm can have a lasting impact in the lives of kids."

Durham's brother, Jared, along with current Outlaws players Guy Mount and Jawan Davis, assisted during the week.

Durham, who graduated in May from Concordia University, hopes to expand Champion Sports Camps into other sports over time, but for now his focus is on basketball.

He will be involved in a number of other camps this summer, including former Oregon State University and NBA star A.C. Green's camp in Portland.

"A.C. grew up in Portland and operates a camp at the Concordia campus every summer," said Durham. "He is famous for his integrity and it is a privilege to work with him."

Durham wants his campers to be champions in all parts of life and sees sports as a place to develop a healthy productive attitude.

"We all need balance in our lives and I think our camp helps in putting athletics in perspective while helping to develop strong character qualities," he said.

More information on Durham's enterprise can be found at championsportscamps.com.