Several deadline to apply for Chickasaw Nation Summer Youth camps and academies are fast approaching. A wide variety of fun camps and clinics are planned for the summer months, so make plans now to attend. The camps and academies are free of charge to Chickasaw youth, and are funded by tribal businesses.

June Events

• Ada Tennis Camp, set for early June, has an application deadline of  May 12. Two camps are planned, a beginner camp, from June 9-13, and an intermediate camp June 2-6.

• Both sessions are open to Native American youth ages eight to 18, and are conducted at the Ada Tennis Center in Ada, Oklahoma from 8 a.m. until noon. For more information, contact Matt Folsom at 580-272-5509 or email matt.folsom@chickasaw.net.

• The deadline to apply to Golf Camp is May 12. The beginners-intermediate camp is set June 16-17 and June 18-19 for advanced players. Both camps will be conducted at Winstar Golf Course in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Enrollment is limited to 150 Native American youth ages eight to 18. For more information, contact Chris Alford at 580-272-5551, or email chris.alford@chickasaw.net.

• Pehlichi Ikbi (Leadership Camp) will be conducted June 21-22 at the Chickasaw Nation Community Center Gym and Lazer Zone Family Fun Center in Ada. The deadline to apply for this camp is May 12. Pehlichi Ikbi is open to students ages 13-18. For more information, contact Tonya Bierce at 580-310-9540, or email tonya.bierce@chickasaw.net. 

• Youth Basketball Clinics will be conducted June 30-July 1 in Ada and Ardmore, Oklahoma, for students ages seven to 14. Application deadline is June 6. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505, or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net. 

• Two events set in June, Native American Youth Junior Open and the Chickasaw

• Nation Summer Youth Karate Tournament, offer on-site registration.

• The Native American Youth Junior Open will get underway June 7 at Lakeview Golf Course in Ardmore, and is open all Native American youth ages eight to 18. There is an entry fee of $20. For more information, contact Chris Alford at 580-272-5551 or email chris.alford@chickasaw.net.

• The Summer Youth Karate Tournament is set for June 14 at 9 a.m., and is open to youth ages five and older at the Chickasaw Nation Family Life Center in Ada. There is a tournament entry fee, but fees for Chickasaw participants will be paid by the Chickasaw Nation. For more information, contact Matt Clark at 580-272-5504, or email matt.clark@chickasaw.net. 

July Camps

• Champions Football Camp will be offered in Ada July 10-12. Open to male students ages seven to 18, the day-clinic teaches the fundamentals of football, teamwork and leadership. Dead line to register for the camp is June 6. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505, or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net. 

• The second annual Archery Camp, is set July 7-9. Students will learn the fundamentals of archery. The camp is open to Chickasaw youth ages eight to 18. Application deadline is past. For more information, contact Chenae Lippard at 580-436-0877 or email chenae.lippard@chickasaw.net. 

• Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy (CSAA) will be conducted July 14 through 25 on the campus of East Central University (ECU). Students ages eight to 19 are eligible to audition for the academy. Ada Auditions are May 3 at ECU. For more information, contact Laura Stewart at 580-332-1092 or email laura.stewart@chickasaw.net. 

• Chikasha Sayah (I Am Chickasaw) camp will be conducted at Camp Goddard, near Davis, July 16-18. Chickasaw heritage and culture lessons are top priorities at this camp, which is open to students ages eight to 12. Application deadline is June 6. For more information, contact Melissa Wilkerson at 580-310-6620 or email melissa.wilkerson@chickasaw.net. 

• Softball Clinic, set for July 29-30 at the Ada High School Softball Field in Ada for Chickasaw girls ages 10 to 18. The application deadline for this day clinic is June 6. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505 or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net. 

August Camps

• Camp Yakni Moma Alphisa (Justice for a Nation) is a new camp for 2008, planned for August 4-5 in Ada for those in grades nine through 12. The camp will also emphasize leadership and personal growth. Deadline to apply to this camp is July 7. For more information, contact Jason Burwell at the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court at 580-235-0281 or 1-800-479-1455 or email jason.burwell@chickasaw.net. 

• Tanumpo Hosa Apisa Camp (Shooting Camp) is an overnight camp set for August 6-8 at the Chickasaw Children’s Village in Kingston. Gun safety and marksmanship techniques are featured in this camp. Application deadline is July 7. Enrollment in this camp is limited to 50 students from ages 12-18. For more information, contact Barry Needham at 580-272-5505 or email barry.needham@chickasaw.net. 

All applicants must include a copy of the camper’s CDIB card and Chickasaw youth must also include a copy of their citizenship card. Submitting the application does not guarantee selection to the camp.