Registration has begun for the 2016 Troy Parks and Recreation summer basketball camp, which runs July 25-28.

The year marks the eighth summer of the camp’s existence and director Justin Cope has been in charge since the beginning.

“It’s always something that the kids look forward to,” Cope said. “The kids ask about all year round when the camp is going to be.”

The camp has grown in attendance every year and they have brought kids in from as far as New Orleans to participate in the four-day event.

“It continues to grow each year,” Cope said. “We have had kids from Louisiana and Tennessee. It’s a big thing for the kids”

Camp participants will work on ball handling, shooting and defense.

During the last hour the camp participants will play in a scrimmage.

“We want to work on anything that involves game time situations,” Cope said. “We are going to mix them up everyday and scrimmage. We are giving them time to just play. We want to make sure they are dribbling and pass the ball correctly, and we are going to teach them how to hustle.”

Cope said coaches also want the camp to be a place where they can teach life lessons that stretch beyond the lines of a basketball court.

“We try to teach about things other than basketball,” Cope said. “We want to make sure their academics are in line. Grades are more important than basketball. We want them to have a great attitude, and we don’t want them to give up on anything.

“Although it’s a basketball camp, it’s a life camp as well. We are trying to teach kids lessons about everything.”

The camp is open for children between the ages of 6 and 16 and it will take place from 8 a.m. until noon. The cost is $30 per child and parents can sign up by going to Troy Recreation Department and fill out the proper paper work. The recreation department will accept both cash and checks; no cards will be accepted.