Shoot Hoops Not Drugs
6 Regional SHND Camps scheduled for June 2023
| Tuesday, June 6 |
Floyd County Floyd Central High School |
| Thursday, June 8 |
Lee County Lee County High School |
| Tuesday, June 13 |
Lawrence County Lawrence County High School |
| Thursday, June 15 |
Wayne County Wayne County Middle School |
| Tuesday, June 20 |
Laurel County Location to be determined |
| Thursday, June 22 |
Garrard County Garrard County Middle School |
All camps begin at 4 pm and end at 7 pm.
There is no preregistration, but participants are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign-in. Basketballs and T-shirts are distributed at the end of camp, and you must be present to win the 2 basketball goals that will be given away at each camp.
This year’s awareness program for parents/guardians will address the dangers posed by fentanyl, which accounted for approximately 70% of overdose deaths in Kentucky in 2021, the last year data is available from the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy..
Become A Sponsor
Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps are funded entirely through sponsorships and donations.
Since its inception in 2006 through June 20, 2022, there have been 95 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps drawing 12,399 youth participants from 63 Kentucky counties, 20 other states, and two other countries – England and Mexico.
About the camps
Shoot Hoops camps provide school-age youth an opportunity to interact with positive role models, receive positive life-skill and self-esteem messages that emphasize the importance for them to stay drug-free, all while receiving basic basketball skills instruction.
All participants in the UNITE-sponsored camps receive:
- A specially designed event T-shirt
- A regulation autographed Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball, and
- Are entered into a drawing for two portable basketball goals that are given away at the conclusion of each camp location. (You must be present to win.)
Water and food are provided to everyone attending each camp.
Adult Education
As part of each camp, parents and guardians are invited to attend a brief education program. The focus for 2023 will be the dangers of Fentanyl, which accounted for more than 7 of every 10 overdose fatalities in 2021.
Since inception, 2,773 adults have attended these awareness sessions
Positive Role-Models
Some of the best volunteers at camp have been the residents and staff from residential treatment facilities located within UNITE’s service region. Their enthusiasm for helping youth make good choices, stay positive, and headed in a drug-free direction has added an extra spark to the skills instruction.
In addition, members of the host county’s UNITE Community Coalition provide much-appreciated support by assisting with registration, food preparation and service, and event cleanup.
About Jarrod Polson
Former University of Kentucky point guard and four-time All-SEC Academic Team member Jarrod Polson conducts the SHND camps.
A native of Wilmore, Polson set the Kentucky High School Athletic Association record for free throws attempted and made in a January 2009 game in which he tallied 50 points. As a senior, he helped lead West Jessamine High School to the second round of the Sweet 16 state tournament and was named First Team All-State. He finished his high-school career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,884 points.
Originally a walk-on at UK, the 6-foot-2 point guard quickly impressed Coach John Calipari, who gave him a full scholarship before his freshman year began. Although receiving only limited playing time during his first two seasons – which included a National Championship during the 2011-12 season – Polson proved himself in the 2012-13 season-opening game against Maryland. After being inserted for an ailing teammate, he logged 10-points, a key steal, and clutch free throws in the waning minutes of the game to solidify his spot in the rotation.
Over his four years at UK, Polson played in 94 games, scoring a total of 140 points with a .424 field goal percentage (.313 three-point percentage). In the spring of 2014, the West Jessamine Colts retired Polson’s jersey – the first time that distinction had been awarded in school history.
Polson, who assisted with several camps in 2015 and 2016, took over the camps from SHND founder Jeff Sheppard in 2017.
Shoot Hoops Not Drugs Sponsors
Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps are funded entirely through sponsorships and donations.
Deadline to be recognized on the 2023 SHND T-shirt is Friday, May 5, 2023
2023 Event Sponsor
2023 Gold Sponsors
2023 Silver Sponsors
