Johnston County will host 66 youth baseball teams from across the region beginning tonight (Wednesday) for the annual event at Smithfield Community Park and other venues across the County. Teams in Coach-Pitch (ages 7-8), Midget League (9-10), Little League (11-12) and Junior League (13-14) will battle for the championship hardware. The Midget League tournament will feature 22 teams, while there will be 20 Coach-Pitch squads in action. The event will wrap up on Monday night at Community Park with championship games set for 7 p.m. in all four divisions. Admission is $3 per day for adults and $1 for ages 6-12.

MISCELLANY
N.C. Wiffle Ball Tournament in Smithfield
The 21st annual N.C. Wiffle Ball Tournament will be held July 18-19 at Smithfield Community Park. The double-eliminaton event will feature four-person teams and carries an entry fee of $60 per team. Bats, balls and officials will be provided. Individual trophies will be awarded for the first- and second-place teams, to the all-Tournament team and to the MVP. For more info, contact Jeff Davis at 915-2280.

Horsemanship Clinics scheduled for area
Half-day horsemanship classes will be conducted monthly by Blaine McLaughlin in Four Oaks from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Classes are scheduled for July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. A maximum of five riders can participate in each session and the issues that will be covered will be determined by the riders. The cost is $75 per rider and pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Blaine McLaughlin at 934-1344 or sileeno@ipass.net or visit www.ipass.net/blaine_mclaughlin.

Johnston Co. horse show series
The Johnston County Horse Show Series is back for another season of events at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield. The fun but competitive shows are open to riders of all ages (classes of competition are: 12-and-under, 13-17 and 18 and older) and experience. Multiple classes of competition are available and the cost is $7.50 to enter each class of competition. A negative Coggins test is required to compete. Shows are scheduled for June 27, Aug. 29, Oct. 3 and Nov. 21. Each show will begin at 8:30 a.m. with rain dates for each event on the following Sunday. For more information, contact Blaine or Michelle McLaughlin at 934-1344 or sileeno@ipass.net or visit www.ipass.net/blaine_mclaughlin.

Johnston county YMCA's Camp Fundamental
An all-day sports camp for boys and girls (rising first through fifth graders) will be held June 22-26 at the Clayton Middle School. The camp is a combination of traditional day camp programming with sport specific development skill sessions. Campers will enjoy sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football and of course, a camp favorite, swimming. The cost of the camp is $140, which includes a T-shirt. Camp operates from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. For more info, call 359-9622 or visit www.ymcatriangle.org online.

BASEBALL
Campbell University Camps
The Campbell University baseball program will hold camps for Little Leaguers, a high school team camp and a high school prospect camp this summer. The Little League camp, for ages 6-12, will be held June 15-18 from 9 a.m. till noon daily. The camp fee is $150. The one-day high school team camp will be held July 15 from noon till 8 p.m. The fee is $250 per team. The high school prospect camp, for ages 15-18, is July 30-31 from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. on both days. The fee is $175 per camper. For a registration form, contact John Caddell at (910) 814-5510 or caddellj@campbell.edu.

Johnston Co. Baseball Camp
The 15th annual Johnston County Baseball Camp will be held June 29 thru July 2 at Smithfield-Selma High School's baseball facilities. Camp runs from 9 a.m. till noon daily and will be led by SSS coach Mike Joyner. The cost is $75 per camper. Checks should be made payable to Mike Joyner. Register at the Smithfield Parks and Recreation Dept. office or call 934-2148 for more info.

BASKETBALL
Camp Naismith camp
Camp Naismith is a half-day basketball camp offered by the Johnston County YMCA with an extended day option. Morning activities include skill development sessions, scrimmages, contests and awards. Afternoon sessions include YMCA summer camp fun, with a variety of activities and clinics indoors and outside. The camp is for boys and girls (rising first thru fifth graders). The cost of the camp, which includes a t-shirt is $80 (half-day) (7 a.m. till 1 p.m.) or $140 (full-day) (7 a.m. till 6 p.m.). Camp sessions are offered throughout the summer at Clayton Middle School. For more info on session dates, visit online at www.ymcatriangle.org or call 359-9622.

Clayton Basketball School
The annual Clayton Basketball School for boys ages 9-14 will be held June 29 through July 2 at Clayton High School. The camp will run from 9 a.m. till noon daily. Clayton High boys coach Denny Medlin will lead the camp staff which includes Tol Avery, a former N.C. State quarterback, Marlon Lee, Misty Greene as well as former Comet standouts Mack Montgomery Jr. and Adrian Rowland. The cost is $75 per camper before June 29 or $90 thereafter. Registration forms are available in the Clayton High School main office. For more info, call coach Medlin at 553-4064.

Selma Area Basketball Camps
This camp is designed to teach young boys and girls the fundamentals of basketball and to have fun while learning skills, teamwork and sportsmanship. The camp will be led by Matt Cuddington, the boys basketball coach at Selma Middle School, and former college and Olympic player Jay Maynard. Two camp sessions are planned at Selma Middle School. The cost is $30 per camper, per camp session. Session I runs June 29 through July 1 and is for ages 12-15. Camp runs from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. Campers can be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. The deadline to register is June 15. Session II runs July 13-15 and is for ages 8-11. Camp runs from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. Campers can be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. The deadline to register is July 1.

Smithfield Summer Basketball Camps
A basketball camp for boys and girls ages 5-7 will be held June 16-18 at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center. Camp will run from 9 a.m. till noon daily. The fee is $40 per camper. A basketball camp for boys and girls ages 7-14 will be held June 22-26 at the Recreation and Aquatics Center, also running from 9 a.m. till noon. James Robinson, the boys basketball coach at Smithfield Middle School, will lead the camp staff for both events. Forms are available at the Parks Dept. office or online at www.smithfieldparksandrec.com. Checks should be made payable to James Robinson.

FOOTBALL
Gary Fowler's Comet Football Camp
The 2009 edition of Gary Fowler's Comet Football Camp will be held July 27-30 at the Clayton High School football facilities. The camp will run from 5:30 till 8 nightly. Longtime Clayton head coach Gary Fowler will lead an experienced camp staff that includes 10 veteran coaches. The fee is $75 per camper. A parent meeting for campers will be held at 7 p.m. on July 26 in the Clayton High School cafeteria. Registration forms are available in the Clayton High School main office. For more info, call the school at 553-4064.

Spartans' Youth Football Camp
The 2009 Spartans' Football Camp will be held July 27-29 at Smithfield-Selma High School. SSS coach Anthony Barbour, a former N.C. State standout, will lead the camp staff. The camp is for boys ages 5-14 and runs from 9-11 a.m. daily. The cost is $20 per camper. Checks should be made out to Anthony Barbour. For more info or registration forms, call the Smtihfield Parks Dept. at 934-2148.

Wildcat Football Camp
The Wildcat Football Camp will be held July 27-30 at West Johnston High School. The camp fee is $75. The camp will be led by West head coach Bennett Jones and his staff. Registration forms are available in the school's front office and online at www.wjhsathletics.com. An organizational meeting for the camp will be held at 6 p.m. on July 26 in the football stadium.

Semi-pro football team needs players & coaches
The Carolina Warhawks semi-pro football is looking for coaches and players for its 18-and-older area squad. For more info, send your height, weight and position to Adbaker9184@hotmail.com.

David Thornton football camp
The fourth annual David Thornton Football Camp will be held on Saturday, June 27, at Goldsboro High School. The free camp is open to the first 250 players between the ages of 8 and 18. Thornton, a linebacker with the Tennessee Titans, will lead the camp staff, which will include other NFL players, college players and local coaches. Parents and the general public are welcome as spectators. Camp will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Registration forms are available at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County (1401 Royall Avenue in Goldsboro). For more info, call (919) 735-2358.

GOLF
West Johnson Wildcat Club annual golf outing
The West Johnston Wildcat Club will hold its annual golf outing on Friday, July 31 at Reedy Creek Golf Course. The event begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The entry fee is $60 per person or $240 per team. For more info on the event or to be a sponsor, visit www.wjhsathletics.com or contact Allen Bunch at 906-6066 or AllenBunch@johnston.k12.nc.us.

SOCCER
McGee's crossroads Area Youth Soccer Camps
The McGee's Crossroads Athletic Association will hold a soccer camp for ages 9-12 will be held July 27-31. The cost to attend either camp is $20 per person. Register online at www.gomcaa.com or contact the association at mcaasoccer09@yahoo.com.

Camp Pele camp
Camp Pele is a half-day soccer camp offered by the Johnston County YMCA with an extended day option. Morning activities include skill development sessions, scrimmages, contests and awards. Afternoon sessions include YMCA summer camp fun, with a variety of activities and clinics indoors and outside. The camp is for boys and girls (rising first through fifth graders). The cost of the camp, which includes a T-shirt is $80 (half-day) (7 a.m. till 1 p.m.) or $140 (full-day) (7 a.m. till 6 p.m.). Camp sessions are offered throughout the summer beginning June 15 at the Clayton Middle School. For more info on session dates, visit www.ymcatriangle.org or call 359-9622.

Challenger Sports Soccer Camps
The Johnston County YMCA will host the Challenger British Soccer Camp for boys and girls ages 3-16. The Challenger Sports Camp will take place the week of Aug. 10-14 at the YMCA Fields on Powhatan Road in Clayton. Each camper will receive a free camp T-shirt, soccer ball and a personal player evaluation. Please visit us at www.ymcatriangle.com for cost and sessions times. A family can receive an $80 rebate toward the week of camp by hosting a coach. Register online at www.challengersports.com by June 26 and receive a free jersey. For more info, call 359-9622.

North Johnston FUNdamentals Youth Soccer Camp
The annual North Johnston FUNdamentals Youth Soccer Camp for children in grades 3-6 will be held June 15-19 at North Johnston Middle School. The camp will run from 6:30 till 8 p.m. daily. Coaches Jody Edwards, Dale Price and Jacob Peedin will lead the camp staff. The cost is $25 per camper. To register or for more info, contact Jody Edwards at 284-3374.

SOFTBALL
Johnston County Softball Camp
The ninth annual Johnston County Softball Camp will be held June 29 until July 2. Smithfield-Selma High softball coach Jill Munchick will lead the camp staff. The camp, for girls ages 7-16, begins at 9 a.m. and runs until noon daily at Smithfield Community Park. The cost is $60 per camper; checks should be made payable to the Johnston County Softball Camp. Register at the Smithfield Parks and Recreation Dept. office or call 934-2148 for more info.

South Johnston Softball Camp
The South Johnston Softball Camp will be held June 29 through July 1 at South Johnston High School's softball facilities. The camp, for ages 6-14, will run from 9 a.m. till noon daily. The cost is $50 per camper. South coaches Mickey Bridgers and Andrea Kendall will lead the camp staff. Registration forms are available at South Johnston High School or by calling coach Bridgers at 262-6402.

SWIMMING
Swimming lessons in Smithfield
The Smithfield Parks and Recreation Dept. will offer a variety of swimming lessons this summer. All instructors follow Red Cross standards for formatting and best practices. Group swimming lessons are available to all ages and skill levels. Registration for July lessons is now open. Starting dates are subject to change, based on the opening day of the Smithfield Aquatics and Recreation Center. Saturday-morning classes will be offered throughout the month. The cost is $30 for Town of Smithfield residents and $40 for non-residents. Tuesday and Thursday classes are also offered throughout July for $55 (residents) or $65 (non-residents). Registration for the July classes starts on June 1. Private swimming lessons at the Aquatics Center will also be available this summer. Times, dates and durations for private lessons are based upon an agreement between the participant and the instructor. Sessions are scheduled at 30-minute lengths and are $20 for residents or $25 for non-residents. Group swim lessons at the Evan Ennis Municipal Pool will also be offered Mondays through Thursdays. Sessions are scheduled for July 6-17, July 20-31 and Aug. 3-14. (Fridays may be used as make up days.) Classes are 30 minutes in length, starting at noon daily. The cost is $30 per session for residents or $50 for non-residents.

TENNIS
Smithfield Parks Dept. Tennis Camps
Ten different tennis camps will be held in Smithfield this summer. Doug Simmons will lead several beginner tennis camps for ages 5-7 and for ages 8-14 and advanced camps for high school boys and girls. Camps are scheduled for June, July and August. For camp dates, more info or registration forms, call the Smithfield Parks Dept. at 934-2148.

VOLLEYBALL
Smithfield Volleyball Camp
A volleyball camp for ages 8-14 will be held July 13-16 at Smithfield-Selma High School. Camp runs from 9 a.m. till noon daily. Kim Smith, the Smithfield-Selma High School volleyball coach, will lead the camp. The fee is $60 and includes a T-shirt. Forms are available at the Parks Dept. office or online at www.smithfieldparksandrec.com. Checks should be made payable to Kim Smith.

WRESTLING
Wrestling Camp
A wrestling camp for ages 8-13 will be held July 13-16 at Smithfield-Selma High School. The camp runs from 9 a.m. till noon daily. SSS head coach Kristian Stewart will lead the camp staff. The fee is $60 per camper. Registration forms are available at the Parks Dept. office. Checks should be made payable to Kristian Stewart.