Gettysburg Optimist Basketball: “Bringing out the best in kids!” for nearly 60 years.

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 of the program, rules were very simple: all kids played, all focused on the fundamentals of the game, no scorekeeping and all participants were required to have fun.

Nearly 60 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 free program is conducted on Saturday mornings over eight weeks of winter. Each one-hour session is held at the Middle School in Gettysburg on Saturday mornings in January and February. The players are divided into grades K-1 and grades 2-3 and grades 4-6. All participants are encouraged to attend, even if they cannot commit to attending all the weekly sessions. Each participant will receive a free basketball t-shirt as a memento of their experience.

Free basketball sessions begin January 4, 2025, in the Middle School gym and will occur every Saturday through the end of February. The schedule is as follows: Grades K & 1 from 9-10 am, Grade 2 & 3 from 10-11am, Grades 4-6 from 11-12pm. Children can be registered by completing an online form at gettysburgoptimist.com or by printing the paperwork from our website and mailing the registration to PO Box 3035 Gettysburg, PA 17325. All registration forms must be received prior to children participating in the program. Late registration forms will not be accepted after January 11.

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. The Youth Basketball Program would not be a success without the help of our volunteers. Since its inception more than 5,500 area young people have participated in the annual basketball outings. Consider donating your time as a coach or station leader in order to help this Youth Basketball Program be a positive impact on the youth of the community.

Print & Mail Optimist Hoops Registration Form

Gettysburg Optimist Basketball Schedule 2025

Saturday, January 4
Saturday, January 11
Saturday, January 18
Saturday, January 25
Saturday, February 1
Saturday, February 8
Saturday, February 15
Saturday, February 22

Are you Interested in Coaching or Volunteering? We’d love to have you join us. Please start by filling out the following form and we will send you an email on how to apply for the required clearances. We “Thank You” as we couldn’t offer this program without the many gracious and generous volunteers.
Adult Optimist Club of Gettysburg Volunteer Waiver
Minor Optimist Club of Gettysburg Volunteer Waiver

ONLINE PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM

Registration

Player's Name *
Session *
Current Grade *
Played Last Year? *
School *
Date of Birth *
TShirt Size *
Guardian's Name *
Guardian's Telephone Number *
Email Address(es) (If you would like to subscribe to the Optimist email for updates)
I'd Like to Coach YesNo
If Answered Yes to coaching, Provide Coach Name
If coaching, what size TShirt?
Coach's Email Address
Coach's Phone Number
MEDICAL INFORMATION: Does this child have any disabilities, allergies, hemophilia, heart condition, history of respiratory illness, present injuries or limitations, or any other significant medical condition? If yes, please list. *
Check here to authorize release of said medical information to coaches and/or volunteers so those working with your child are aware of important medical information. * Yes
EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION: I, the undersigned, legal guardian of the participant minor, hereby authorizes the coaches, assistant coaches or parents of team members acting in the capacity of activity supervisors as my Agents, to consent to medical, surgical or dental examination and/or treatment. In case of emergency, I hereby authorize treatment and/or care at any hospital. If there is an emergency and I cannot be reached please contact the person below, who is hereby authorized to act on my behalf: (Include Name and Phone Number of Contact below) *
WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER: I, the guardian of said individual, hereby give my consent and agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless OPTIMIST CLUB OF GETTYSBURG, its coaches and representatives, and the GETTYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT from any claim arising out of injury to the named individual during participation in Optimist Basketball. * Yes
I agree to allow the OPTIMIST CLUB OF GETTYSBURG and its authorized representatives permission to photograph and/or video pitcures of my child's participation. I further agree that any or all pictures may be used as a part of any future publications, brochures, or online media used to promote the OPTIMIST CLUB OF GETTYSBURG. Such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, or other compensation. * YesNo
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Gettysburg Optimist Basketball: “Bringing out the best in kids!” for nearly 60 years.

ONLINE PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM

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2025 Youth Basketball – Registration Open

Gettysburg Optimist Basketball: “Bringing out the best in kids!” for nearly 60 years.

ONLINE PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM

About Us

Member Links

Archives