PORTSMOUTH, Va. — "Giving our girls power."
That's the message at a free all-girls basketball camp in Portsmouth. The ladies have taken to the court on all week, honing their skills while also picking up valuable life skills along the way.
It wrapped up Saturday with a big block party on County Street.
The camp was run by the "Give Back 2 Da Block" non-profit organization. Organizers say there's plenty to learn from basketball.
"It's about being attentive to detail, it's about perseverance, it's about understanding we are one team as well as we are one community," said Give Back 2 Da Block founder Darrell Redmond.
Redmond said he created the camp after one of the girls told him it would be a good idea. He agreed, and said he has watched each of the girls' confidence grow day-by-day.
"We understand that our girls don't get the same opportunity that boys or men get and yet they have the same potential as men get that anybody else in the world does." Redmond said.
At the block party, kids heard from special guests, including Portsmouth's Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales and speaker Dr. Angela Reddix.
"You can't even believe the things that you can accomplish through love, and so wherever there are young girls who need to be inspired, that is home for me," Reddix said. She hopes the camp has taught life lessons that the girls can carry for years to come.
Redman said the organization is already planning to have another camp next month. He said all girls are welcome, and to bring their confidence.