ANSA organizing June basketball camp

A local group announced it will be partnering up with a Hydaburg basketball player to hold a youth camp in Wrangell this summer.

Damen Bell-Holter will be leading “Blessed 2 Bless,” a traveling basketball camp he cofounded with Clint Parks in 2012 which focuses on youth mentoring as well as on-court skills. Wrangell’s Alaska Native Sisterhood Association will be hosting the event, slated for June 5 to 8.

Hailing from Hydaburg, Bell-Holter was picked up by the Boston Celtics as a forward in 2013, and has subsequently been on teams in Maine, Hungary and Turkey. He now plays for the Lapuan Korikobrat in the Finnish Korisliiga.

Bell-Holter uses lessons learned from his own life and background to encourage kids to reach their potential, while also discussing weighty issues like chemical dependency and suicide.

“I make sure to cover all the fundamentals of basketball along with my life lessons,” Bell-Holter explained in a press release. “I want them to be inspired when they leave my camp. I want them to believe in themselves a little more after my camp.”

“I’m excited not only for the basketball camp but for what Damen represents,” explained ANSA president Lovey Brock. “I was able to meet and visit with him as a youth. I am anxious to meet him as a man. He’s a great role model for the youth of Southeast Alaska. He’s from a small town and knows the dynamics of a small town.”

ANSA is currently working to raise $8,000 for B2B, which will cover all costs for local youth to participate. Amid Saturday’s Saint Patrick’s Day merriment the group held a bake sale at Bobs’ IGA as part of its fundraising effort.

“So far people have been really generous, inquisitive and supportive,” said Carol Snoddy. “We’ve been wildly successful,” she continued. “What we’re doing right now is fundraising, because we want to try to make sure that every child in Wrangell that wants to take this basketball camp can participate without worrying about paying for it.”

The clinic will be free of charge and youth are encouraged to participate, from fourth graders through high school. Each day will be divided into three sessions, allowing for separate instruction for elementary, middle school and high school students.

Snoddy explained ANSA will be up to other community activities as well, including a weaving class at the Wrangell Cooperative Association Cultural Center. Funded through the CIRI Foundation with a small grant, Snoddy said resident Faye Kohrt will lead the class using cedar contributed by Sealaska.

“We’re just really excited about doing positive things,” Snoddy said.

Tools and materials for making jewelry, carving paddles, formline art and other activities are also being acquired. ANSA activities are open to all community members, and Snoddy explained the group meets midday Mondays at the Stikine Native Organization building to plan upcoming events.

“Anybody can help,” she invited.

Those interested in participating at the B2B camp can contact Kailey Jo Erickson at 208-351-0971 or Brock at 660-7054.