UConn Legend Teaching Basketball and Life Lessons Through Summertime Camps

NORTH CENTRAL, CT — When recently asked what drew her to stay in Connecticut after a basketball career at the University of Connecticut, the USA Olympic team and in the pros, Kara Wolters had a down-to-earth answer.

"I can get high fives while getting gas and people passing by in cars will yell 'I love you," she said. "I'll admit that's kind of nice."

Wolters likes to think her summertime basketball camps are an extension of that.

"There is a sweet spot here for the younger kids," she said.

Youth basketball, she said, has undergone an evolution with the AAU programs dominating the scene for the older teens. But with it comes risk because the full spectrum of the game could be overlooked by an assertion that running and gunning is the end-all.

That's where her Dream Big Basketball Camps for girls come in, she said.

Wolters has two camps scheduled for this summer in the area — at East Granby High School from July 17 though 17 and at Rockville High School from July 27 through 31.

Registration information is listen on each town's parks and rec website.

"Maybe the soft spot for the kids comes about because my daughter doesn't listen to me," Wolters joked. Meanwhile her daughter, Sydney, just rolled her eyes and secretly sang Mom's praises as a coach. After all, Sydney is playing collegiately at Roger Williams.

So what does a 6-foot-7 former UConn great who is one of a handful of players who have won NCAA, Olympic and WNBA titles have to offer.

"I like to teach perspective at the camps," Wolters said. "I love this age group."

Some players have enjoyed the camps so much, they turned to Wolters for private coaching, like Coverntry High School star Hailey Mayo.

"At camp, we will emphasize low block moves, of course," Wolters said. "There is a big focus on fundamentals and on-court skills.

Wolters then paused and added, "We also work on off-court skills — life-lessons through sports."

Wolters said the camp features "lot of great role models ... all played or coached at high level."

That might even mean a surprise visit from a UConn player.

"Ive been doing this for more than 20 years, so camp is something I look forward to," Wolters said. "Our philosophy is simple. Give girls a basic understanding of the game of basketball while instilling in them life's lessons and the qualities and characteristics that will enable them to be successful as young women in today's world. We strive to create an atmosphere that is educational but at the same time one that embodies a social, friendly and entertaining atmosphere. In others words ... fun."

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Click here for more information on the camp.