For Immediate Release:

It began way back in 1965 when the Optimist Club of Gettysburg sponsored the first Optimist Youth Basketball program for youngsters from the Gettysburg area. It sought to teach the fun and fundamentals of basketball to youngsters in grades K through 6, regardless of their individual skill level. At the start the program rules were very simple, though some thought them to be revolutionary. All kids played, all focused on the fundamentals of the game, no score keeping and all participants were required to have fun.

Over 55 years later the Optimist Youth Basketball Program continues to observe the same set of rules and still reaches out to the youth of the community who want to learn the game of basketball, have fun and share an experience that forms life-long memories. The program is conducted Saturday mornings over nine weeks of winter. Currently each one-hour session is held at the Gettysburg Area Middle School between the months of January and February. The players are divided into boy and girl groups; Grades K-3 and grades 4-6 and in some years, kindergarten. All participants are encouraged to attend, even if they cannot commit to attending all the weekly sessions. Each boy and girl receive a free basketball tee-shirt as a memento of their experience.

This year’s registration will be held December 14th from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Gettysburg Area Middle School Cafeteria. Sessions begin January 4, 2020 in the GAMS gym and will occur every Saturday through the end of February. The schedule is as follows; Grade K-3 Boys 9-10 am, Grade K-3 Girls 10-11am, Grade 4-6 Boys 11-12pm, Grade 4-6 Girls 12-1pm. Children can be registered by attending a sign-up session, completing an online form or by printing the paperwork from our website and mailing the registration to PO BOX 3035 Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg Youth Basketball Program is one of the many youth-oriented programs conducted and funded by the local Optimist Club each year. Club members, parents and community volunteers act as leaders, monitors, coaches and mentors. Many of them were once young participants in earlier programs and are now coaching and mentoring their children and grandchildren. Since its inception more than 5000 area young people have participated in the annual basketball outings.

About the Gettysburg Optimist Club
The Optimist Club of Gettysburg was chartered in 1958 and continues to be dedicated to providing young people with positive activities and learning opportunities. Club members are men and women who come from all walks of life and who are united in an effort, “To Bring out the Best in Kids!” To learn more about the Optimist Club of Gettysburg and their many programs, activities and a membership opportunity, visit http://www.gettysburgoptimist.com/, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OptimistClubofGettysburg?ref=hl or call 717-220-3416.