Several basketball players hope to develop interest in their sport among younger girls while remembering an influential coach.
Recent Richmond High School graduate Maren Bolser and her teammates are offering the second Hoops for Hope camp at no charge for any area girl entering grades 5-8.
It’s from 1-3 p.m. June 16-20 in a new location, RHS’ Tiernan Center, to accommodate growing enthusiasm. This year’s camp includes coaches from several Indiana and Ohio schools.
Last year’s camp drew 20 girls from Centerville, Richmond and Union County. Beyond gaining basketball skills, they attended an Indiana Fever game with chaperones and coaches.
Bolser began the camp last year to honor the late Melissa “Mel” Johnson, who coached area youth teams and Earlham College’s women before her death in 2022 at age 41.
In a news release, Bolser said Johnson “left a lasting impact on me and other girls, and I wanted a chance to do the same thing for others.”
The word “Hope” in the camp’s name also pays tribute to Johnson’s determined spirit. During her lengthy health issues, friends wore shirts with the letters “H.O.P.E.,” which she had adopted as a motto: “Hold on, pain ends.”
Johnson’s daughter, Jayden, is among the camp staff. “Not only is Hoops for Hope such an amazing experience for the kids, it’s amazing for the coaches to be able to have that impact on the next generation of young hoopers,” she said.
Supporters include the Women’s Fund of the Wayne County Foundation, foundations from First Bank Richmond and Dot Foods, and private donors. Bolser was surprised in 2024 to learn The Women’s Fund had approved her application and provided the full $4,800 she needed to launch the program.
Sign-ups are open at hoopsforhopecamp.org.
Additional camps
For a variety of area summer camps, including crafts, arts, careers, science and other themes, visit westernwaynenews.com/resources/2025-summer-camp-guide/
Sports camps
Western Wayne: Lincoln High School is offering a boys and girls basketball camp for students entering grades K-6 from June 9-12 at the elementary gym, 801 E. Delaware St., Cambridge City. Participation is $20. A registration form requiring a parent’s signature is available via WWS’ Facebook page at facebook.com/WesternWayneSchools or at the first day of camp (10:30 a.m. for grades K-3 and 11:30 for grades 4-6).
- Richmond Community Schools: RCS is offering sports camps open to students from any area school to explore new interests. Some are free, and others have a maximum fee of $30. They include: Girls wrestling, June 10 and 12; volleyball, June 16-19; boys wrestling, June 24-25; softball, July 12-13; boys and girls swimming/diving, July 14-18 and July 21-25; boys and girls soccer, July 15-17; football, July 17; cheerleading, July 18; baseball, July 21-22; girls basketball: Aug. 9, 16 and 23. For more information, visit werrichmond.com or call 765-973-3316.
Information about additional nonprofit camps may be sent to contact@westernwaynenews.com for publication consideration.
A version of this article appeared in the June 4 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.