Robbie, 5, opened his arms and braced as Ethan, 6, passed him a basketball at the Barber Physical Activities Center on Aug. 14, 2013.

The boys were at the gym participating with 29 other boys and girls, ages five to 16, in a weeklong basketball camp, hosted by Athletes Global.

“My oldest daughter attended this camp last year and she liked it,” said Grace Robler, Marine spouse and mother of two camp participants. “The coaches are really good.”

Daily from 8-11 a.m., Jernavis Draughn, basketball trainer and Athletes Global CEO, and Troy Cheathnam, speed and agility coach, taught game knowledge, positions, rules and ethics to familiarize the young people with the game of basketball.

“Some want to learn more complex moves and some just want the extra practice,” said Cheathnam. “We want everybody who leaves here to have a better knowledge of the game.”

Parents acknowledge the quality of training that was offered at the camp.

“My son has been playing basketball for two years and has never run those drills,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Perera, father of camp participant. “These coaches know what they’re doing.”

Draughn notes that their basketball camp is run differently than others.

“We implement speed and agility training, like lateral movement and hand-eye coordination, with the sports-specific training,” said Draughn. “We also want to teach them teamwork and ethics, like how to be a team. It’s not all about winning; it’s about the team concept.”

According to some parents, though the camp does come with a cost, it was worth it.

“Off base we paid six times more than we paid here for a basketball camp,” said Robler. “And this camp offers a lot more.”

The coaches agree.

“Most organizations just do sports-specific training and nothing else,” said Draughn. “We want to give the military families a great service at a reasonable price. You can’t get this type of training at this price off base.”

The camp is the last of four summer camps hosted aboard the base that also included a flag football camp and two soccer camps.

“I hope that the kids take something that we’ve taught them,” said Draughn. “We want them to take what they learn and apply it to their lives.”

The end of summer ushers the youth sports program from camps into youth league seasons starting with soccer. For information about youth sports leagues, call 703-784-9756 or 703-784-5637.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil