In 2021, my brother, Asher Wilburn, noticed a pressing need in our neighborhood in the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Younger children had been stuck inside for months. With many youth athletic leagues, basketball courts, YMCAs, and recreation centers limiting access, opportunities to participate in sports were scarce. Many children were missing out on a formative phase of childhood — youth sports.
My brother, a sophomore at St. Mark’s School of Texas and varsity athlete, created Preston Hollow Summer Sports Camp (PHSS) out of this need. The camp began, and is still held today, in the backyard of our home in Preston Hollow. In the camp’s second year, my other brother, Ace Wilburn, then a freshman at St. Mark’s, began assisting Asher.
PHSS will return for another summer session in June 2026. More information is available at prestonhollowsummersports.com.
My brother Asher recalled, “When I heard the moms in my neighborhood were concerned that many grade school and middle school sports programs were limiting spots or delaying organized activities due to COVID-19, I realized these kids needed a place to be kids during the summer and continue learning athletic skills. Being outside made it easier by reducing potential exposure. Hosting the camp in our backyard also made parents feel more comfortable with safety and convenience.”
PHSS has expanded over the years and become a family affair. Once I started high school in 2023, my brothers recruited me to be a part of the program and to take over the reins as they saw college on the horizon.
My brothers and I grew up training in multiple sports. The three of us are athletes with experience at the varsity level, as well as with AAU basketball, club soccer, and 7v7 football. Over the years, we have brought training and experience to younger athletes, passing along the skills we have developed ourselves.
The program has grown each year. We have hired high school friends to work as camp counselors. We offer one-week sessions for two to four weeks each summer.
In 2024, we launched a website to improve promotion and registration and introduced the PHSS Onsite Athletic Entertainment Program. This service allows us to run sports-based activities at private events such as birthday parties, class gatherings, and team-building events.
We haven’t raised our prices since 2021, which keeps the camp affordable. We understand and appreciate that parents want their kids to be active and outdoors during the summer, and we don’t want cost to be a deterrent. Our mission is to provide a safe but challenging environment where kids can build community while developing athletic skills, independence, and confidence.
The PHSS curriculum focuses on football and basketball training while also incorporating team-building activities such as kickball, pickleball drills, relay races and 9-square tournaments. Each day ends with pool time and water games, where campers often team up against counselors.
We recognize each camper with a character development award based on athletic or personal growth throughout the week. The camper-to-counselor ratio is approximately 5-to-1, and participants range in age from 7 to 12. Our counselors are all varsity-level high school athletes who provide campers with experienced mentorship. Many campers attend the same schools as us, strengthening community connections beyond the summer.
The campers really enjoy their time and often return each year. Parents appreciate that their kids are outside, off electronics, and learning something new. But honestly, I enjoy it just as much. Working with the campers has taught me about leadership, patience, and service. Their energy is contagious and seeing their growth, even in just one week, is rewarding.
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