Volleyball Valor: The Refuge hosts summer volleyball camp

Summer volleyball camp began on Wednesday, July 25, at The Refuge.

Instructor Megan Widner lead Winter volleyball camp at The Refuge earlier this year, and said she set up the summer camp with both the motivation and the determination to better the lives of Olney youth.

“I wanted to host a fun and beneficial event that would impact the summers and maybe even the lives of the children here in Olney,” Widner said.

The three-day camp was open to two age groups: 6 to 10-year-olds, and ages 11 and older.

Olney resident Sam Pulliam and former volleyball player of North Central Texas College, assisted in teaching the children the basics of the sport, as well as healthy stretching techniques.

Pulliam and Widner teamed up on the camp’s first day and taught the children several lessons that would help them build a proper foundation in the sport and allow them to play to their heart’s content. From these lessons, the children learned teamwork, team-building, communication skills, and the understanding of how teamwork can be the most beneficial part of lifelong projects. These skills will help them in not only the sport, but also in their daily lives and in the future, Widner said.

Refuge Office Manager Kristy Nantz said the organization is looking to serve all credit unto God and to the people who have played a role in making the volleyball camp possible.

“To be honest, all of this is not possible without the Lord,” she said. “Everyone involved is here for the Lord, our children and our community. We hope that by offering these opportunities with our town, the children of this community, who are the people are the future, will find something they can be passionate about and enjoy for the rest of their lives.”