Fort Sill youth bowlers enjoy 'spare' time

By Jeff Crawley, Fort Sill CannoneerJuly 24, 2014

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Coach Talyia Williams (left) gives a tip on delivering the ball to a bowler during the Twin Oaks Bowling Center summer youth camp July 18, 2014. Williams, a staff sergeant with the 100th Brigade Support Battalion, took a week of leave to volunteer wi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gabriella Millar, 8, gets a high-five from volunteer Traci Thompson, an Army wife, during the Twin Oaks Bowling Center summer youth camp July 18, 2014. It was the fourth year the center conducted the camp to teach children how to bowl, or improve on ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (July 24, 2014) -- More than 70 youths ranging in ages from 5 to 18 participated in the Twin Oaks Bowling Center summer youth camp July 14-18.

It was the fourth year the center conducted the camp to teach children how to bowl, or improve on their game, in a fun atmosphere.

"It was wonderful," said Tegan Watson, 10, of Elgin. "I made a lot of new friends, and I learned how to bowl better."

Tegan's mom, Michelle, said she and her husband, retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Watson enjoy taking their daughter bowling with them.

"So I wanted her to learn how to bowl, meet friends and have a good time," Michelle said.

She noticed an improvement in her daughter's skills during the weeklong camp.

"She's holding the ball right, throwing it nice and straight," she said. "She's having her ups-and-downs, but she's having a great time doing it."

Kelly Wright, Twin Oaks Bowling Center manager, ran the camp with assistance from eight volunteers, who served as coaches and support staff. Wright said the camp's goals were simple.

"I want them to learn that bowling is fun you're not always just here to see if you get the highest score," Wright said. "Bowling shouldn't be frustrating, but a fun physical activity that's good for children."

Initially, the children were separated by age groups, then coaches assessed the bowlers' existing skill levels and then grouped them as beginner, intermediate or advanced, Wright said.

"We teach them everything from basic fundamentals to advanced skills, like picking up spares," she said. They also learned scoring.

The training was kid friendly, too. The youngest children used the lightest balls, which weighed between five and seven pounds.

"With the 5-year-olds we teach them how to roll the ball between their legs to help them with targeting, and they use the bumpers so they don't get frustrated (with gutter bowls) and not want to bowl," Wright said.

The next age group was taught the four-step bowling approach, how to target and where their mark is supposed to be, she said.

Throughout the week skills were reviewed, and scoring was also taught.

Sessions ran from 1-3 p.m. daily and snacks were provided. One lesson included the workings of the bowling alley, and children got to see the machinery that sets pins and retrieves balls.

Camp culminated with a campers versus coaches tournament.

Afterward, every child was awarded a certificate. Then it was snacks and open bowling with black lights -- which drew squeals of excitment from the youngsters.

Volunteers made the camp a success and included staff from Child and Youth Services, food service and bowling staff from TOBC, parents and others, Wright said.

Volunteer coach Staff Sgt. Talyia Williams took one week off his job in A Company, 100th Brigade Support Battalion where he works as material manager supervisor to help with the camp.

"I love to coach the kids, as well as the youth, and it was a unique opportunity to spend time with kids in the neighborhood," said Williams, who coached 17 of the 14-16 year olds. "I want them to have structure, as well as discipline, and to have fun bowling."

What was the best part of camp for Williams?

"Watching the kids listen to instruction, execute it and develope," Williams said. "It's a tremendous feeling."

Overall, Williams said it went well.

"I enjoyed it and I'm sure they loved it as well," he said.

Steven Johnson, 13, said he was glad he came to the camp even though it was his parents idea. He said he had done a little bowling before.

"I was just getting gutters and gutters, but this camp has definitely improved it," he said.