Shoot Hoops Not Drugs

Seven regional Shoot Hoops camps coming in June

For the 19th summer, Operation UNITE will host regional Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps. Seven FREE camps will be conducted in June 2024. Any school-aged youth – regardless of where they live – is invited to participate.

All camps begin at 4 pm and end at 7 pm.

You’ll have a ball!

Morgan Co.

Tuesday, June 4

Morgan County High School

150 Road To Success
West Liberty

Nelson Co.

Thursday, June 6

Nelson County High School

1070 Bloomfield Road
Bardstown

Jackson Co.

Monday, June 10

Jackson County High School

560 Educational Mountain Drive
McKee

Martin Co.

Tuesday, June 11

Martin County High School

137 Hollybush Road
Inez

Lincoln Co.

Thursday, June 13

Lincoln County High School

60 Education Way
Stanford

Knox Co.

Tuesday, June 18

Union College
John M. Robsion Arena

403 Manchester Street
Barbourville

Bath Co.

Thursday, June 20

Bath County High School

645 Chenault Drive
Owingsville

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::

  1. Receive a specially designed event T-shirt.
  2. Receive a regulation-sized autographed Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball.
  3. 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.

Become A Sponsor

Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps are funded entirely through sponsorships and donations. You can help provide a fun, substance-free activity for youth this summer.

Deadline Friday, May 3, 2024

Since its inception in 2006 through December 31, 2023, there have been 105 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps drawing 13,388 youth participants from 63 Kentucky counties, 20 other states, and two other countries – England and Mexico.

Adult Education

As part of each camp, parents and guardians are invited to attend a brief educational program. The focus for 2023 was on the dangers of Fentanyl, which accounted for more than 7 of every 10 overdose fatalities in 2021.

Since inception, 3,012 adults have attended these drug prevention / awareness education 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.

Camp photos

To view photos from previous Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps click on the year.

2023  |  2022  |  2021  |  2020  |  2019   |   2018   |   2017  |   2016  |   2015  |   2014  |   2013  |   2012  |   2011  |   2010

Shoot Hoops Not Drugs Sponsors

Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps are funded entirely through sponsorships and donations.

2024 Event Sponsor

2024 Gold Sponsors

2024 Silver Sponsors

2024 Bronze Sponsors