Camp group

TIFTON — As promised, the Eighth Street block was rocking for Saturday morning’s South Tifton Learning Center and Griffin Martin Football and Cheer Camp.

Radio was playing through a sound system, campers busted out dance moves and on occasion, even Martin felt persuaded to kick up his heels.

Martin and Melanie Lester, the chief executive officer and director of the South Tifton Learning Center, who teamed up for the camp were both pleased with turnout for their first effort.

They figured 51 were participating, but in the middle of their counting, two more youths dropped by the sign-in table, bringing the total to 53.

“I’m excited, I’m pumped up,” said Lester. “I was up at 4 o’cock this morning boiling hot dogs.”

Participants came from far and wide. Martin said he even had some from Warner Robins to attend.

The camp took place at Eighth Street Middle School’s practice field, where the kids participated in drills under several assistants, all of whom had played or coached.

Campers caught passes, worked on agility, ran with the football, hit blocking pads and even worked on kicking. In addition, there were two different cheer groups.

“I found some good kickers,” Martin joked.

Academics were stressed as well. The slogan of the camp was “academics and athletics,” and kids were asked trivia questions as part of the drills.

Help came in abundance.

Both wanted Tift County Schools, superintendent Patrick Atwater and athletic director Rusty Smith thanked first for allowing them to use the facilities at Eighth Street Middle.

Martin thanked his parents Donna and Roger Martin, as well as his grandparents Kano and Wanda Martin. Additionally, he thanked Melanie and Sally Kennedy.

Lester thanked Myrtice Lester, Keleen Cromer, Alphonso King, Tiffany Pitmon, Flozellia “Flo” Jones, Claudeshia Pertilla, Pat Bostick, the Lester family and the Cromer family for their assistance.

Lester and Martin are hopeful that their partnership is the first in a long line of football and cheer camps. Both already have their eyes set toward 2018.

“I’m gearing up for next year,” said Martin.