Swing Into STEAM Golf Camp Welcomed 10 Young Prince Georgians For The 2022 Camp Session

By Raoul Dennis And D.A. Phillips // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR STOUDAMIRE AND RAOUL DENNIS

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For several Prince George’s County students, the month of August brought one more special opportunity the take a swing at summer: on the golf course.

The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, partnering with First Tee of Greater Washington sent ten deserving youth to the Swing into STEAM Golf Camp held August 22-26. First Tee of DC is a development organization that enables youth to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. Participants selected from the department’s junior Golf participants were aged between 12-15.

Held at Kentland Community Center in Landover, MD, each day began with the camp exploring various STEAM topics in the morning (See more photos here). Sessions were led by retired NASA scientists Dr. Julie Saba and Dr. Keith Strong, alongside Superbowl XLIII Champion--and game MVP--Santonio Holmes. Holmes is founder of 10 All In, an organization dedicated to utilizing STEAM-based programs to provide opportunities for underrepresented communities. “10 All In provides mental health training and awareness to the First Tee summer camps,” explained the former Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver.

“We got involved through our partnership with South Florida PGA because we felt the need to include diversity, equity, and inclusion in the game of golf from a minority’s perspective and to allow kids a fair chance and an understanding of what the game of golf has to offer through STEAM and STEM education,” said Holmes. Learn more about 10 All In here.

“Due to the generous donation from Super Bowl Champion Santonio Holmes, the kids got the chance to experience STEAM/Golf in the same week. This included a field trip to NASA Goddard, Paint Branch Golf Course to learn about agronomy and a trip to Top Golf,” said Steven Carter, Chair of the Prince George’s County First Tee Committee.

Afternoon sessions included golf activities which were led by the Department’s Junior Golf Director, William Martindale, and First Tee staff. Campers played and practiced on the newly reconstructed Kentland Golf Complex behind the community center.

Parents of the young participants gave the four-day session high marks.

“Kori enjoyed her time at camp,” said Antoinita Smith of her daughter. “This was our first golf camp experience. So for it to be combined with STEAM, that was a real treat. She enjoyed the experiments in the morning and the golf clinics in the afternoons. She was nervous that she wouldn’t know anyone---and ended up making new friends! I think she sometimes feels different being a girl with a golf club. However, she is now ‘a girl with a football!’ Thanks for the signed gift, Mr. Holmes.”

“Last week’s STEAM Golf Camp was just what my son needed,” explained Vida Bratton. “He was excited to attend each day, engage in exciting STEAM activities and of course golf. He even verified with me his registration for the Fall session. Thank you, First Tee DC!”

Mrs. Lydia Grier said the camp was more than she expected.

“The camp was beyond our expectations,” she said. “We would not have imagined the mentorship, professionalism, and quality of STEM activities my child would have been exposed to in one week. They even helped develop the social and emotional development of our child. Such a full package of activities.”

Mrs. Pamela Castleberry senses that her son may have discovered a career path as a result of the camp.

“My son, Ryan, thoroughly enjoyed the STEAM golf camp,” Castleberry says. “Since he is a ‘science kid’ who loves the First Tee program, this camp was a natural fit. He felt privileged to interact with scientists and athletes who shared memorable experiences and life lessons. Ryan’s favorite part of the camp was learning about the sun, the color spectrum and the power of ultraviolet light. He said that he now has an interest in learning about astrophysics, as a result of his interactions with the scientists from NASA.”

Angela Anderson was also impressed with the impact the camp had on her own son.

“Swing into Steam Camp 2022 was an amazing opportunity for my son to learn about the science, engineering, and mathematics involved in having a proper golf swing and achieving success in golf,” Anderson says. “One of the highlights of his week included understanding the importance of mental health and maintaining a positive attitude when approaching any sport. He thoroughly enjoyed the mental health tips and activities provided by Mr. Holmes. Lastly, he expressed going to the NASA Goddard Center also as quite impressive.”

Executive Director of First Tee of Greater Washington, DC, Clint Sanchez, shared his thoughts about the camp with these remarks,

“We thought the entire week of STEAM Camp was a huge success. We value our partners like Santonio Holmes and the 10 All In Foundation as well as the MAPGA. It is a great thing when you can double your impact when ideals and values of our partners are aligned. That was the case last week for those 10 kids from Prince George's County [who] attended the camp. Add in a new partner like the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and a host such as Kentland Community Center and you have the makings of a memorable week for our youth.”

“Overall, this was a great experience for our young audience and Mr. Holmes has already agreed to do this camp again next year,” Carter says.

Holmes’ own path to excellence and a Super Bowl championship isn’t solely a result of being a first class athlete – he attributes mental wellness and focus as part of the key to success. That is a big factor for him in launching 10 All In. But the former OSU Buckeye didn’t connect with First Tee through a coincidence: Santonio Holmes loves golf.

“What I love about the game most is the challenge,” Holmes says. “Every shot is different from every hole, every green is shaped different, every tee box, every fairway. I fell in love with challenging myself.”

When asked what drew him specifically to Prince George’s, Holmes’ response came easily: “I want to help our kids. Why not come to the nation’s capital?”

Clint Sanchez contributed to the reporting of this story.