LANETT — The Springwood School softball program is hosting the Lady Wildcats Softball Camp next Monday through Wednesday.

Volunteer Wildcat varsity players are going to assist the camp’s attendees spanning grades from fourth through 12th. This year’s Wildcats are coming off an appearance in the state tournament after not doing so the prior three seasons. The team’s veterans have been excited to do everything leading up to next season, including offseason workouts and volunteering at the camp.

“They’ve been blowing up my phone asking what time does the camp start next week,” Springwood School head softball coach Galen Smith said. “They’re worth the help. This past season, we had some young kids on our team, we had sixth graders, they were really good with those younger kids. They’re not against any hard work or hesitant to help somebody.”

The camp is going to focus on the fundamentals of the game, such as fielding, throwing, base running, hitting and pitching. Each day’s sessions will last from 9 a.m. to noon. Sack lunches will also be provided to all campers.

After years of working as an assistant in the program, first-year head coach Smith said that one of his goals for the camp is to help build the current and future era of the program. He wants the younger students at Springwood School to have a passion in the sport early, so the coaches can develop the talent long-term.

“I think any head coach wants to establish their own program and have one of the best ones at the school,” Smith said. “We think we’re in good position right now to do some good things in the next year or two.”

JV players at Springwood have been strongly encouraged to join the camp to get extra work in as well, Smith said. In regards to bringing players into the sport and the Wildcat program early on, he said the most challenging part might be to get athletes on the field first.

“It is a fun sport, no doubt, one thing is we love to have a good time,” Smith said. “Don’t think that you’re going to find myself or any of my assistant coaches trying to run a player off. We’re doing our best to try to keep people enthused and make it fun. We want to compete at the same time, but we want to make sure that we’re not doing anything to hinder someone from enjoying the sport. We want to make everything positive.”

For more information on the three-day camp, Smith can be contacted at gsmith@springwoodschool.com.