Peace Games Return to Camden This Weekend

Leer en español

CAMDEN – Basketball is so much more than scoring points and playing defense, says Robert Atwell, a spokesperson for Providing Alternative Resources for Kids.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

“A lot of the decisions I made were based on the decisions that my group (of friends) made,” Atwell said. “I was fortunate to fall in with a group…who played basketball, ran track and played football… who focused on doing positive things and those experiences and those activities we were involved in led to other positive experiences.”

Atwell was among several city, county and community leaders who spoke at a July 25 news conference to kick off this year’s Peace Games. They begin on Saturday, July 27, and continue to Sunday, July 28, at Von Nieda Park in Cramer Hill at North 29th Street and Pierce Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

“This is going to be a phenomenal weekend,” Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes said. “This is a good opportunity to get to know your neighbors and say ‘welcome’ to those basketball teams outside of the city of Camden who will be competing.”

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen spoke about the sense of fellowship, community and sportsmanship the Peace Games provide, while Camden City Council Member Jannette Ramos talked about the event’s positive impacts.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

“It is an opportunity for our kids to come together and make memories,” Ramos said. “(Those kids) end up giving back to other kids when they become adults.”

Robert Corrales, vice president of the nonprofit Camden Community Partnership, told TAPinto Camden that each day of the Peace Games starts at 10 a.m. with co-ed basketball clinics and then a co-ed basketball tournament that starts at approximately 12 p.m. About 270 basketball players from 16 teams throughout South Jersey are taking part in the tournament, and each will receive a trophy or medal for their participation, Corrales said.

“Unfortunately, there is no more room for teams to sign up (for the tournament),” Corrales said, adding that besides the clinics, the Peace Games also offer free food, free entertainment and other forms of fun.

The 2024 Peace Games are in their eighth year overall, and this year’s event is the fourth year that Providing Alternative Resources for Kids has played a major role in sponsoring the event, he said. The sponsor list includes several area corporations, nonprofits and government agencies.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net