Girls gear up, show kids new skillsFree Access

Teens are hosting free volleyball camp



GEARING UP—La Reina sophomores, from left, Sarah Shaw, Reagan Maguire, Logan Burns, Emily Morge and Kelsey Maguire, are the founders of Girls Gear Up, which seeks to make sports available to youths of all ages and income levels. Next week they’ll be hosting a free volleyball camp on the T.O. campus. Courtesy photo

TEAMING UP—La Reina sophomores, from left, Sarah Shaw, Reagan Maguire, Logan Burns, Emily Morge and Kelsey Maguire, are the founders of Girls Gear Up, which seeks to make sports available to youths of all ages and income levels. Next week they’ll be hosting a free volleyball camp on the T.O. campus. Courtesy photo

Bump . . . set . . . spike . . . give back.

Five La Reina High School students are putting on a free volleyball camp on Fri., Feb. 10 for K-8 kids from local schools.

Tenth-graders Reagan Maguire, Sarah Shaw, Logan Burns, Emily Morge and Kelsey Maguire (Reagan’s cousin) say they’ve strengthened their friendship through volleyball. Together, they hope to share the spirit of teamwork and good sportsmanship with others.

The teens created Girls Gear Up as ninth-graders.

“The idea is to give younger kids a chance to try new sports by giving them the equipment and opportunities needed,” Reagan said.

Last year, the girls collected about 300 pieces of donated sports equipment from local programs and drove it to St. Anthony’s School in Oxnard.

“It was fun to see all the kids brighten up with all the new equipment,” Reagan said.

This year, they wanted to try something different.

On Feb. 10, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the La Reina gym (106 W. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks), the girls, with the support of their coach and varsity teammates, will lead practice drills and hope to end with a friendly scrimmage.

“Volleyball brought us together,” Logan said. “Through volleyball we all found each other, and our friendship sparked from there.”

Logan said she hopes to provide that opportunity for friendship to other kids through an annual event.

“We’re really excited to do this, represent our school and have a good time,” Sarah said.

To prepare for the camp, the friends raised money during a Christmas tree-lighting event by selling baked goods and handmade jewelry.

So far about 17 kids have signed up for the camp. There are no requirements, and walk-ins will be accepted, Emily said.

“We hope to open their perspectives,” Kelsey said of participants.

They hope more kids will sign up in the coming days. They will be divided into three groups based on grade level: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8.

Snacks and water will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring canned food to donate Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank.

For more information or to request a sign-up form, email reagan. maguire2025@lrregents.com.