Dunlap’s camp teaches ‘fun’damentals

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Kathryn McCormick, left, and Jamie Tittsworth play “King of the Court” at Monday’s tennis camp. The camp will run through Friday and is conducted by WCHS coach David Dunlap.

For 15 years Warren County Middle School and Warren County High School tennis coach David Dunlap has been conducting summer tennis camps. Dunlap holds two camps throughout the summer and this week’s camp is already off to a good start.

With 30 campers showing up on the first day of the week-long camp, youngsters of all ages are being taught the basic fundamentals. Dunlap along with the help of several high school players are teaching kids how to hit ground strokes and serves, while explaining the basic rules of the game.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time and have seen some good players pass through,” said Dunlap.

“I realized when I took over coaching at the high school that I had to do something to get more youngsters involved. The camp is a great way to introduce kids to the game of tennis. It gives kids a chance to come out here and get some basic instructions. For some of them it’s their first time to play and they get hooked. We get them on the middle school team and work with them, which helps build our program at the high school level.”

Dunlap tries to make the camp a fun experience, and while teaching is a big part, he throws in a few games like “King and His Court” to keep everyone smiling.