The Empower Youth Basketball Camp, hosted by the Josh Huestis Foundation, provided Indigenous K-6th graders in Great Falls with skills, gear, and a sense of community.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Empower Youth Basketball Camp took center stage this weekend, offering Indigenous K through 6th graders in Great Falls a chance to develop their basketball skills and gain more than just athletic training.
The camp, hosted by the Josh Huestis Foundation and community partners (Russell Country Federal Credit Union, Indian Family Health Clinic and the Great Falls Public Schools), was infused with a spirit of giving back.
Former Stanford Cardinal and Oklahoma City Thunder player Josh Huestis emphasized the broader impact of the camp. “Yeah. You know, all camps feel are really special to me. They’re just different in different ways. Right. This one is super special, though, just because of the fact that you know, it helps serve, in my opinion, underserved part of the community,” he said.
Huestis, now a father, finds deeper meaning in the camp. He shared, “Ever since I became a father, like, I feel like it becomes a little bit more special because watching these little kids run around, like, some of them aren’t that much older than my son.”
The camp focused not only on teaching basketball skills but also on building confidence and camaraderie among the participants. Huestis highlighted his favorite part, saying, “My favorite part about being with them is seeing them come out of their shows. Like there’s quite a few kids to first interact with them. They’re a little quiet and then eventually you get a high five.”
In addition to basketball training, the young participants received new shoes, a camp shirt, and enjoyed a family barbecue. The camp aimed to offer these children experiences they might not ordinarily have access to, fostering a sense of community and connection.
The Empower Youth Basketball Camp in Great Falls demonstrated how sports can be a powerful tool for uplifting and connecting communities.