RECENT EVENTS

'24 Summer Camp

This year, the First Dink Foundation proudly hosted its inaugural Youth Pickleball Summer Camp, held from Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21, at South Beach Park in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Each day, from 8 AM until 11 AM, participants focused on building a strong foundation of pickleball fundamentals while honing their skills both on and off the court. The camp emphasized not only athletic development but also personal growth, as campers were encouraged to set attainable goals and take steps toward making those goals a reality.

In addition to skill-building, the camp placed a strong emphasis on essential life skills such as sharing, taking turns with peers, and fostering teamwork. Throughout the week, participants had numerous opportunities to demonstrate inner strength, character, and the valuable lessons they learned both in pickleball and in life. The camp was a resounding success, reflecting the values and mission of the First Dink Foundation to nurture well-rounded, resilient, and community-minded youth.

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Weekend Clinics

This year, the First Dink Foundation has introduced a series of Saturday Morning Youth Pickleball Clinics designed to engage participants from our Little Dinkers (grades 1-3) and First Serve (grades 4-9) programs. These clinics offer a dynamic mix of pickleball training and life skills education, empowering youth to "Serve Up Success" by helping them realize their full potential and make a positive impact on society. By using pickleball as a tool, we aim to instill essential life skills, foster personal growth, and develop well-rounded citizens who can excel both on and off the court.

In addition to teaching pickleball fundamentals such as serves, returns, 3rd shots, volleys, dinks, and court etiquette, our clinics emphasize the importance of key values that contribute to personal growth and success. We highlight the power of teamwork, encouraging participants to work together, support one another, and understand that success is often achieved through collaboration. Respect is also a cornerstone of our program, as we instill the principles of good sportsmanship, fair play, and treating everyone with dignity.

Leadership is fostered by empowering our young athletes to lead by example, take responsibility, and act with integrity both on and off the court. The sense of camaraderie that develops through shared goals and interests forms meaningful connections that last beyond the game. Ultimately, our clinics are designed to empower youth by providing them with the confidence, skills, and leadership capabilities they need to reach their full potential.

Weekday Coaching

Throughout 2024, the First Dink Foundation has been dedicated to nurturing young athletes through our weekday coaching sessions for both the Little Dinkers (grades 1-3) and First Serve (grades 4-9) programs. For our youngest participants, these sessions focus on teaching pickleball fundamentals in a fun and engaging way, incorporating educational games that foster a love for the sport while instilling important life values. As they learn the basics of pickleball, our Little Dinkers also develop character and discipline, laying the groundwork for future success both on and off the court.

For our older players, the First Serve program offers a more advanced experience, delving into the rules of pickleball, as well as tactics, strategy, and the skills needed for tournament-level play. These sessions go beyond physical training, emphasizing the development of leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Within our supportive community, we model the values of integrity, hard work, and commitment, helping kids and teens build confidence and resilience that will serve them in all aspects of their lives.

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Coaching Workshop

This summer, the First Dink Foundation hosted two Youth Pickleball Coaching Workshops, offering community members a chance to get hands-on experience with our games and drills. These orientation workshops were designed to familiarize new coaches with our methods, and the turnout exceeded our expectations. We're thrilled to see the enthusiasm and dedication of our new coaches and look forward to their contributions as they help us expand our reach, providing quality instruction to even more youth pickleball players.

Through our coaching programs, we aim to prepare participants not just for the challenges of the game, but for the challenges of life. Our focus is on equipping youth with values, resilience, and a sense of purpose, enabling them to become engaged and responsible members of their communities who lead with character. By prioritizing the development of well-rounded citizens over athletic prowess, the First Dink Foundation is committed to serving youth, families, and society as a whole.

PICKLEBALL 101

In honor of National Pickleball Day on August 8th, the First Dink Foundation hosted its first “Pickleball 101” Youth Clinic on Saturday, August 6th at South Beach Park in Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

Over 50 participants joined First Dink coaches for an exciting morning learning about Pickleball's unique social sportsmanship, how to hold a paddle, proper posture and stance on the court, and making contact with the ball. Check out our many youth programs below, and follow us to stay up-to-date on future events.

Programs