The Dominican Republic is where the entire idea of Basketball as a Mission originated. When President Colleen Aguilar was there on a mission trip to teach English at the local school, Fey y Alegria, she played basketball everyday at recess. One day, she realized that she was playing with all boys and she asked a girl who was watching why she wouldn’t play. The girl responded, “Because I am a girl”. Colleen was preparing for her thesis at that time, and this made her decision about what she was going to research. She started Basketball as a Mission within six months of that day.
Since it’s inception in 2005, Basketball as a Mission has completed thirteen camps in four different countries:
- In 2006 camps were held in Cuernavaca, Morelos, México and El Cruce de Arroyo Hondo, Dominican Republic.
- In 2007, BaaM returned to El Cruce and held new camps in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, México and San José, Costa Rica.
- In 2008, BaaM returned to El Cruce and San José and held a new camp in Córdoba, Argentina.
- In 2009 and 2010 camps were held in San Jose and El Cruce, along with a new camp in 2010 in Monterrey, Costa Rica.
Happy campers in the Dominican
BaaM has touched the lives of over 800 underprivileged children and affected over 40 coaches. While the camps focus on teaching kids the basics of basketball, the lessons and experience far surpass those of a regular basketball camp.
The ultimate goal of each camp is to merge cultures through basketball. Coaches from the United States submerge themselves in Latin American culture and despite sometimes not being able to speak each others languages, coaches and children relate and communicate on an innate level. The basketball camps are missionary work by design however many people participate from various religious views. Exposing volunteers and children to multiple beliefs results in a grander appreciation for faith, and highlights the teachings of promoting the health of others and valuing the simpler aspects of life.
During the camps, children are taught about team work and how to persevere to achieve a goal. By working to learn new basketball skills, they acquire the self confidence and the determination to overcome challenging obstacles in their own lives. Also, the female participation has increased each year. Female campers compete on a level playing field the boys and develop the courage challenge their male counterparts. Young girls are exposed to successful, American female role models who inspire them to take charge and change the status quo in their communities.
Campers working together in a game of tag.
Camp also transforms each community. Especially in revisited towns like El Cruce de Arroyo Hondo and San Jose, children look forward to the basketball camps year round. Older campers feel like they have experienced a “right of passage” and return to each camp to aid the coaches in mentoring the new campers. Throughout the week long stay, locals are energized, hosting lunch for the “Americans” and taking time to support their children in this novel experience. The results are a sense of solidarity among the children and the broadening of their life perspective. Children glimpse the endless possibilities they have, especially outside of their town. Without exception, life long friendships are created and coaches and campers unite through a shared passion for life and for sport.
In addition to the life lessons and the unforgettable experience each camper receives, they are also given clothes and equipment. Each camper receives a camp t-shirt, a pair of shorts, a jersey, socks, shoes, and sports bras for the girls. They also have the opportunity to win prizes such as backpacks, toys and school clothes. Often coaches bring other items to donate as well. Basketball as a Mission also provides the school with basketballs and nets along with other equipment and extra clothes and shoes for the community.
Basketball as a Mission commits itself each year to reach out to as many communities and children as possible. By sharing our love of basketball we hope to transform the lives of those who are less fortunate and foster a life-long commitment to service in our volunteers.
