FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2009
Contact:
Anthony Puglisi
973-621-2542
Lauren Shears
973-621-1590
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO JOINS WITH ACADEMICS IN MOTION
TO OFFER THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH SPORTS CAMP
Boys and Girls in Grades 3 to 8 Are Invited to Enroll in Free Camp
to Learn the Fundamentals of Football, Basketball and Life Skills
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Academics in Motion
invite boys and girls entering 3rd to 8th grades to participate in the Third Annual
Fundamentals & Life Skills Sports Camp. The sports camp is being offered free of charge
and will combine football and basketball practice with team building and life skills
instruction.
“The Fundamentals & Life Skills Sports Camp is a great opportunity to provide a productive
and enjoyable summer activity for our children. Combining football and basketball skills and
life training is an effective way to reach our young children and help them succeed,”
DiVincenzo said. “Recreation and athletic facilities in all our County parks are being
upgraded so we can provide our children with safe and modern places to play. This is an
excellent opportunity for our students to experience our historic Essex County Park System
and participate in a fun-filled summertime activity,” he noted.
The sports camp is being organized by Gerhard Sanchez, Coordinator of the Academics in
Motion Program in New Jersey and Irvington High School Athletic Director. “As coaches,
we want to teach our young players the fundamentals that will help them compete, but we
also want to build their character, improve their decision making skills and teach
responsibility. Our program will combine our players’ love of sports with a unique learning
experience that will benefit them throughout their lives,” Sanchez said.
Two week-long sessions of the Fundamentals & Life Skills Sports Camp will be offered. The
camp has been expanded this year to offer both football and basketball instruction at three
locations in Essex County. Students can participate in one or both weeks. The camp
sessions will be held Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Session 1 – Football will be held Monday, July 13th to Thursday, July 16th in Essex
County West Side Park, located at the intersection of 18th Avenue and South 13th
Street in Newark. Football drills and practice will be staffed by the West Side High
School Head Football Coach Brian Logan and players from the West Side High
School football team.

Session 1 – Basketball will be held Monday, July 13th to Thursday, July 16th in
Essex County Irvington Park, located at the intersection of Grove Street & Lyons
Avenue in Irvington. Basketball drills and practice will be staffed by Irvington High
School Head Basketball Coach Eugene Robinson and players from the Irvington
High School basketball team.

Session 2 – Football will be held Monday, July 20th to Thursday, July 23rd in Essex
County Irvington Park at the intersection of Lyons Avenue and Grove Street.
ESSEX COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Football drills and practice will be staffed by Irvington High School Head Football
Coach Darnell Grant and players from the Irvington High School football team.

Session 2 – Basketball will be held Monday, July 20th to Thursday, July 23rd in
Essex County Watsessing Park at the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Dodd
Street in East Orange. Basketball drills and practice will be staffed by East Orange
Campus High School Head Basketball Coach Derrick Johnson and players from the
East Orange Campus High School Girls’ basketball team.
The football and basketball programs include stretching and agility workouts, offensive and
defensive training with high school coaches, and a simulated game. Life skills instruction
will include discussions about time management, gang prevention, study skills, character
development and etiquette. Guest speakers will visit the camp to talk with and give
encouragement to the players. Daily and weekly awards will be presented to players who
work hard and show the most improvement. Equipment and uniforms, and a free boxed
lunch, will be provided to each player.
“This is a great opportunity for the County’s youth,” said Lee Fisher, Director of the Essex
County Youth Services Commission, which provided grant funding to support the camp.
“Children can benefit greatly from sports and the lessons it teaches about team and
confidence building. We are proud that the County Executive is promoting activities to
benefit all children,” he added.
The Fundamentals & Life Skills Football Camp is sponsored by Essex County, Academics
in Motion, MAN Inc. and the Essex County Youth Services Commission. Space is limited to
80 campers for football sessions and 50 campers for basketball sessions. For more
information about the Fundamentals & Life Skills Football Camp, or to obtain a
registration form, please call Gerhard Sanchez at 908-803-1496. The registration form
may also be obtained from the County’s web site at www.essexcountynj.org.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system
established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and
has 19 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller
skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, three off-leash dog facilities, a
castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
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ESSEX COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER