A new camp set to take place in Flandreau in early August aims to offer area youth time on the basketball court as well as mornings filled with conversations about faith.
Jess Giles, who helps coach basketball and track in the Flandreau Public School District, will be among the camp’s leaders and is organizing the first-ever Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp. The district, along with many others in the area, has a strong FCA program.
She is hopeful the camp will have a strong turnout.

“We are putting on the camp for two reasons. One, for area kids to get a chance to play basketball and develop skills. Two, and also most importantly, to remind kids that while they may be athletes, they are first and foremost children of God. FCA’s mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. These area camps are a great way for us to do that,” said Giles.
“I want to help build these young athletes up to one day become not just great athletes, but great individuals too.”
Giles is FCA’s Glacial Lakes Area Representative. She helps to serve high schools and middle schools in the Brookings area, Flandreau is among the schools in her region.
FCA aims to reach student athletes where they are and for a lot of them that’s in the gym or on the field.
“Sports have a huge cultural influence globally and at a local level. FCA uses that influence for good in trying to reach people for Christ and reminding them that their identity does not come from a performance but rather who their Father is.
The camp is open to youth in 2nd-6th grades. It is scheduled to begin on August 1st at Flandreau High School and runs each day from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. To register or for more information, go to www.brookingsfca.org/camps or contact Giles at jessigiles@fca.org.