This summer, 51 rising sixth and seventh graders from across North Carolina had the opportunity to improve on their game while exploring what college has to offer, thanks to North Carolina’s electric cooperatives.

Through the Cooperative All-Stars Sports Camp Scholarship program, participating electric co-ops send one young woman to the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp and one young man to the Carolina Basketball School each year.

For a week, students learn from and play alongside current and former players from two of the nation’s top programs.

The scholarships cover all expenses at the overnight camps, giving students the chance to stay in dorms, build their skills and learn from Division I coaches through individual and group instruction. Winners are selected by their local electric cooperative for their exceptional work both in the classroom and in their communities.

Heather Collins, whose daughter Kailee was selected by Haywood Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp, said the camp is an experience that will serve her daughter for years to come.

“It means the world to our family,” Heather said. “Opportunities like this allow Kailee to experience things that help shape her both as an athlete and as a young woman. The scholarship made it possible for her to attend a camp that provided high-level coaching, new friendships and a true glimpse into college life. We’re incredibly grateful because experiences like these can have a lasting impact.”

Kailee says the experience gave her a chance to improve her game while also getting a firsthand look at college life.

“It was an incredible experience that I’ll always remember,” said Kailee. “Staying in the dorms, eating on campus, and getting a glimpse of college life was really exciting. The coaches and players were awesome, and they created a welcoming, energetic environment where everyone felt included and encouraged to improve.”

Since its launch more than two decades ago, the program has given hundreds of North Carolina students the chance to learn and play alongside top-tier athletes and coaches — all while reinforcing the importance of education and leadership in their communities.

“This experience helped her grow in so many ways beyond basketball,” said Heather. “She gained confidence, became more independent, learned to manage her time and responsibilities, and stepped outside of her comfort zone by meeting new people from across the state. On the court, she was challenged by outstanding coaches who pushed her to improve her skills and basketball IQ. She came home more motivated, more confident, and even more excited about working toward her goals.”

Not only do the camps teach students new skills to use on the court, it also shows them the possibilities of attending college and furthering their education.

“I would love the opportunity to attend a school like NC State and continue playing sports at the college level,” said Kailee. “This camp made me even more excited to work hard toward that goal.”

Scholarship applications open in January each year, with a March 31 deadline to apply. To be eligible, students must be rising sixth or seventh graders at a qualifying school in North Carolina. Applications are reviewed by each local electric cooperative and assessed using a variety of criteria — including academics, extracurricular activities and an essay.

“Our family would like to sincerely thank Haywood EMC for investing in young people through opportunities like this scholarship,” said Heather. “Your generosity gave Kailee an experience she’ll never forget and one that will continue to inspire her long after camp ended. Thank you for believing in students and helping make opportunities like this possible.”

To learn more about sports camp scholarships and other youth opportunities made available by the support from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, visit https://www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/community/sports-camps