CSL Entertains Campers with 'Embarrass Your Counselor' Basketball Game

The Girl Scout dribbled away from the elf, and then passed to the prom queen for a quick layup.

Such scenes were common on Thursday, July 28, when the “Embarrass Your Counselor” fund-raising basketball game was held at Robertson Park. The unusual game was the centerpiece of an event that brought out more than 100 campers, counselors, and spectators, who together made the night a successful fundraiser for Crayons for Cancer.

The 4th annual game was made possible by the Center for Service Learning, an organization of middle-school aged students in Manchester that come together to do community service projects. CSL recruited dozens of co-ed staff from Manchester Parks and Recreation camps across town to dress up in creative outfits and entertain campers, hours after the camp day had ended.

“It’s nice to see younger kids get to be a part of the event, so it’s not just an ordinary fundraiser,” said Myles Hurley, 12, of CSL. “When we saw the expressions on the campers’ faces, we knew our work had paid off.”

In addition to the main event, CSL campers organized carnival-style games on an adjacent court for youths who stopped in, and a halftime dance-off was held on the main court for all campers in attendance.

This year’s matchup had the Knights, predominantly featuring summer camp counselors who work at Robertson and Mahoney Recreation Center, squaring off against the Big Green, made up of mostly Martin camp counselors. Led by the scoring of Lance Stephens and Trevon Jensen, the Knights held off a late rally for a 57-52 win.

CSL camp director Matt Leitao called the event “a great way to give attention for a good cause, while at the same time a fun night of basketball.”

A total of $373 was raised for Crayons for Cancer, a non-profit organization based out of Manchester that melts crayons into fun shapes and sells them for $1, with the proceeds going to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Along with the rest of the Mahoney camp staff, Jensen and Stephens dressed as crayons to help promote the cause.

The wild costumes weren’t the games only gimmick. Several 10-point bubbles were drawn on the court, as well as a 30-point spot from half court to encourage crowd-pleasing long shots. In addition, hockey style substitutions enabled a free flow of different counselors to come in and out of the game. Jess Robitaille of Martin was named game MVP after hitting a pair of late three-pointers.

CSL has also planned a food drive in the coming weeks, and hopes to continue the “Embarrass Your Counselor” event next summer.

To learn more about Crayons for Cancer, you can visit their website at www.crayonsforcancer.org.

Editor's Note: The author of this piece, Matt Farrell, is a camp
director who participated in the game.