Sharpening their sports skills in Valley Stream

The Village of Valley Stream Recreation Department’s summer sports camp wrapped up its 11th year of operation last Friday with its week-long baseball/softball session at Firemen’s Field.

“It’s fun for the kids and affordable for parents,” said co-coordinator Mike Paolillo. “We have a lot of kids sign up for multiple camps, and a few make it to all four.”

Paolillo and fellow coordinator Joe Gustafeste, both teachers and coaches in the high school district, have been with the camp since its inception. They run four specialized programs — soccer, flag football, lacrosse, and baseball/softball — consisting of 15 hours spread over five days. Camps are limited to kids set to enter grades 4 through 8, and the cost was $85 for village residents and $90 for Central High School District residents.

“My kids love it, and it’s something they can do together,” said Mark Salzman, whose sons Brett, 14, and Corey, 12, attended all four camps between them. “For what they provide for the price, you can’t beat it.”

Added Corey, a Yankees fan unlike his father and brother: “They teach you all the skills you need to get better.”

Paolillo, the head JV football coach at North High, said a typical day at camp is divided into three parts with 10- or 15-minute breaks in between. “The kids work on certain skills and fundamentals for the first two hours and play a modified game for the last 45 minutes,” he said. “Everyone has a lot of fun.”

In addition to Paolillo and Gustafeste, an assistant varsity football coach at South, others on staff include boys’ varsity lacrosse coach Dan Achatz, North assistant varsity football coach and varsity wrestling coach Tom Maddock, and South varsity soccer coach Richard Boyd. “Three hours a day is ideal,” Gustafeste said.

During the baseball/softball session last week, campers worked on hitting, pitching, throwing, catching, running the bases and some basic rules of the game. The previous week saw quite a boost in lacrosse participation for girls, something Paolillo attributed to the recent success of the district’s varsity team coached Rafaela Nikas.

Next year’s camp is scheduled to being the first Monday after the school year ends. For more information call the Department of Recreation at (516) 825-8570.