Photo by Mild Du Carson Brusven watches Avalon Parrie return a volley during Junior Hitter’s Tennis Camp at Marshall High School Tuesday.

MARSHALL — The tennis courts outside Marshall High School will be a busy place this summer with a wide range of youths practicing footwork and serves.

This week, it was the Junior Hitter’s Tennis Camp’s turn on the court, with students in fourth grade and above working on their skills.

Around 50 youths are taking part in tennis camps at Marshall High School in June and July, said Cam Bailey, recreation coordinator at Marshall Community Services.

“The numbers were really good there,” Bailey said.

Each summer, Marshall Community Services recreation gives youth opportunities to learn a variety of sports skills. Summer recreation sports are not only fun and active, they’re also a great partnership with Marshall Public Schools coaches and athletic programs, Bailey said.

“Our varsity coaches are hands-on with this,” Bailey said.

For example, the tennis camps are instructed by Alex Cleppe, the Marshall Tigers head tennis coach.

By playing summer sports or attending camps and clinics, youths can learn the basics of a sport and get to know Marshall coaches.

“It’s a win-win, not only for participants but for parents as well,” especially if students are interested in going on to play high school sports, Bailey said.

Tennis camps for boys and girls in kindergarten through third grade will start in July. This year, Marshall Community Services also offered a new mixed doubles tennis league for adults, which started earlier this month.

“We try to do as much as we can” with summer recreation, Bailey said. MCS programs give kids a chance to try a variety of sports and athletics.

“The program we get the most interest in, year in and year out, is youth gymnastics,” Bailey said.

More information on Community Services recreation programs, and online registration, is available at https://ci.marshall.mn.us/community_services.