Harvey Harrington’s Popular Basketball Camp Returns July 20-23
Photography Provided by Freckles Photography
“I think it was the best Vacation Bible School, bar none. We loved it,” Harrington says. “Even talking to my friends today, they’re like, ‘Remember the time we had Vacation Bible School?’”
With this longstanding memory still fresh in his mind, Harrington aims to create an equally noteworthy experience for Central Indiana youths with his DreamChasers Basketball Camp.
“That’s fueled my camps,” Harrington says. “I was like, ‘How can I put something together where kids can be themselves?’”
Set to take place from July 20-23 at Mt. Vernon Middle School, Harrington’s DreamChasers Basketball Camp is open to kids from first through eighth grades, no matter their previous basketball experience. The brother of much-loved Indiana Pacers player Al Harrington, Harvey focuses on fundamentals like shooting, defense and ball-handling with his camp, while hopefully teaching some lasting life lessons as well.
Like the Vacation Bible School from his childhood, Harrington strives to make his DreamChasers Basketball Camp stand out. Camp participants can expect all sorts of fun activities, as well as a live DJ.
“Every time we have a camp, we have a dance area with a DJ set up,” Harrington says. “When kids are sitting out from doing drills and stuff, we don’t want them just sitting there. Every year, I think hard about how I can make this different and how I can make it the favorite camp of any kid out there, even if they don’t play basketball.”
“I get guys to just pop in,” Harrington says. “Rodney Carney came in and sat in. Al [his brother] came in and spoke. Bonzi Wells has dropped by. These are friends. They care about what I’m doing, and they just pop in.”
With this year in particular, Harrington also plans to implement new health-related policies due to the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, he says that the camp will not happen unless he feels absolutely comfortable that no one else’s health will be at risk.
“I feel the same way about everybody else’s kids as I do my own,” Harrington says. “If I’m not going to put my kids in a situation, then I’m not going to put yours in a situation.”
In addition to teaching kids about the game of basketball, Harrington aims to impact lives on a more personal level.
“The response I’ve gotten back from this camp has been unbelievable,” he says. “I’ve had people write me personal letters saying, ‘Harvey Harrington. My son felt like he didn’t have a friend in the world, but now you’re his friend.’”
While hooping may be at the heart of it all, DreamChasers Basketball Camp ultimately exists to change lives.
“Everybody is not going to be able to play in the NBA, but that’s not what it’s about,” Harrington says. “Sports is about life. Sports instilled confidence and made me into who I am.”
To learn more about DreamChasers Basketball Camp, visit DreamChasersBBall.com or find them on Facebook at Dream Chasers Basketball Indy.