The Spalding County Parks and Recreations Department will once again partner with a number of organizations and individuals to offer a host of free summer youth sports camps, six in all beginning with a golf camp June 1.

Other camps include football, baseball, girl’s basketball, soccer and Jumpin’ Joe Ward’s Basketball Camps. Details are as follows:

n Golf (Session I): June 1-11 for ages 8-18 behind City Park Community Center 8:30 a.m., until 12 noon. Sponsored by the Unlimited Door Foundation. Clubs and balls will be provided. (Pre-registration by May 28 at SCPRD or City Park is required)

n Football Camp: June 8-10 for ages 5-12 from 9 a.m., until 12 noon at City Park’s Watkins Field. Sponsored by Spalding High School. (Registration is on site)

n Baseball Camp: June 14-16 for ages 6-12 from 9 a.m., until 12 noon at AMBUCS Park. Sponsored by Spalding County Little League. (Registration is on site)

n Girl’s Basketball Camp: June 15-17 for ages 6-14 from 9 a.m., until 12 noon at Spalding High. Sponsored by Spalding High. (Registration is on site)

n Soccer Camp: June 21 for 12-and-under from 5:30-08:30 p.m., at Tyus Park. Sponsored by the Griffin Youth Soccer Association and Griffin High Soccer. (Registration is on site)

n Jumpin' Joe Ward’s Basketball Camps: July 6-9 for ages 10-and-under and July 12-15 for ages 11-an-up, from 9 am., until 4 p.m., at Griffin High. Breakfast served 7-8 a.m., and lunch served 11 a.m., until 12:30 p.m.. Sponsored by Joe Ward Sr. (Registration is on site)

n Golf (Session II): July 6-16: For ages 8-18 behind City Park Community Center 8:30 a.m., until 12 noon. Sponsored by the Unlimited Door Foundation. Clubs and balls will be provided. (Pre-registration at SCPRD or City Park is required)

*****

SOCCER COACHES WANTED: The Griffin Soccer Association is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to help coach 4-6 year olds in the fall season. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

Coaching clinics will be provided. The season runs from August until November and will only require about Two hours of your time a week.

If you are interested in helping with this position, please contact Annette White at 404-643-0967 or email us at gsavolunteer@yahoo.com.

*****

SHS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS: Any boy or girl in the 8th grade or higher who would like to run cross country next year please contact coach Dolores Owen at Spalding High School (770) 229-3775 or at (770) 891-6937.

Plans are already under way for the upcoming 2010 fall season.

*****

LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS FAST APPROACHING: The local Little League organization will host District 4 All-Star games in Griffin from June 26 to July 3 for both baseball and softball.

Later in the summer, the local Little League organization will host a 10/11 Division state tournament in Griffin from July 17-23.

*****

Entries Open For Georgia Junior and Georgia Amateur Championships: MARIETTA, Ga. – Entries are now being accepted for the 45th annual Georgia Junior Championship, which takes place June 21-23 at Green Island Country Club in Columbus. This event is open to male amateur golfers between the ages of 14 and 17 as of June 21, who are Georgia residents and GSGA members or dependents of GSGA members.

The format of the event is 54 holes of stroke play with the 144-player field being cut to the low 70 and ties after 36 holes. Qualified players must enter online at the GSGA website (www.gsga.org) by clicking the Online Registration quick link. The deadline for entry is 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 2.

Any questions regarding GSGA competitions may be directed to the Rules and Competitions Department at 770-955-4272 or 800-949-4742, or via email at info@gsga.org.

*****

FIRST TIME ANGLER? LEARN THE BASICS AT A KIDS FISHING EVENT: SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Looking for a way to spend more time with a child or grandchild this summer? Introduce them to fishing. Research shows that most people are introduced to fishing by a family member, and most consider a family member to be their best fishing friend.

Kids fishing events are sponsored across the state and provide fishing lessons to both children (under age 16) and parents from knowledgeable instructors. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division co-sponsors most events by providing channel catfish and trout to improve fishing, educational materials for participants and guidance for sponsors.

Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com , select “Fishing,” then “Kids Fishing.” Here you will find tips on fishing with kids, recommended places to take kids, a “kids first fish certificate,” and a link to a calendar where you can find local events.