By Tom Dodge

Sportsenews@bellsouth.net

Respect - That is what the more than 45 young people learned Thursday at the Mega Sports Camp held at the Northwest Community Center.

The camp was sponsored by Our Savior’s Church and the children participated in athletic activities and also learned about teamwork and respect.

Bernetta McCann, Children’s Pastor of OSC, was excited to see the number of children from the community who participated in basketball, cheerleading and soccer clinics.

“I saw the excitement on their faces and they were eager to do and learn,” she said of the campers.

“We wanted to teach the children that we work as a team and we show respect to ourselves and others.

“That will affect our life and every team we are a part of,” she said.

McCann said the camps have been held through the Jennings campus of the church, but this is the first time the camp has been held in Eunice.

“This is a great opportunity and a wonderful avenue to put those foundational principles into their lives,” she said of the camp setting.

McCann said athletic heroes that the children admire should be positive role models.

A retired school teacher, McCann said her ministry to children has been her life calling.

“A sports camp is a good draw,” she said. “Our goal is to reach the community and instill those foundational truths in the children.”

The camp staff included students from Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas, The Master’s Christian School in Lafayette as well as several Eunice High cheerleaders.

“This goes beyond the four walls of our church,” McCann said. “We are reaching out.”