FORT SILL, Okla.-- Children got to live life in the fast (bowling) lane as Twin Oaks Bowling Center conducted its weeklong camp July 16-20.
About 80 children, ages 5 through 19 participated in the bowling camp which covered everything from the four-step approach to targeting pins to scoring, said Kelly Wright, Twin Oaks Bowling Center manager. All levels of bowlers were welcome at the camp, which ran from 1-4 p.m.
Wright said she wanted the children to have fun and to realize bowling is not just about competition.
"It's amazing to watch the kids because when they start they say 'I can't hit the pins,' then when they leave, they are hitting those pins," Wright said. "They have an enjoyable experience."
The camp began with bowlers setting their average by bowling three games and dividing that by three. The average lets the coaches know the skill level of the child, and how much he or she has improved during the camp. For the next three days the bowlers practiced their skills and learned the nuances of the game.
Five U. S. Bowling Congress-certified coaches volunteered at the camp including Carl Douglas, who taught the 5-8 age group.
He said he wanted the youngsters to have fun and learn proper techniques, but also not to get discouraged and to stick with it. The little tykes used bumper bowling so they wouldn't get too bummed out by having so many gutter balls.
Douglas added that bowling is good exercise and it gets children away from video games.
The camp ended with a tournament. A youth bowling league for ages 3-19 begins at the end of August on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Registration is Aug. 20. For more information, call the center at 442-2882.
Tournament results
Age group 5-8
1st Ishmiah Williams
2nd Ryleigh Mosier
3rd Christopher Newton
Age Group 9 - 11
1st Brandon Williams
2nd Alex Williams
3rd Gabriel Ruiz
Age Group 12-19
1st Skylar Moon
2nd Anthony Patterson
3rd Jornell Whigham
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