In the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021, my brother Asher Wilburn noticed a growing need in our neighborhood. Kids had been stuck inside for months while youth athletic leagues, basketball courts, YMCAs, and recreation centers limited access, and opportunities to participate in sports became scarce.
They were missing out on a formative phase of childhood — youth sports.
Asher, a sophomore at St. Mark’s School of Texas and varsity athlete, created the Preston Hollow Summer Sports Camp (PHSS) out of this need. The camp began, and is still held, in the backyard of our Preston Hollow home.
“When I heard the moms in my neighborhood were concerned that many (youth) sports programs were limiting spots or delaying organized activities due to COVID, I realized these kids needed a place to be kids during the summer and continue learning athletic skills,” Asher recalled. “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. My brother Ace, a freshman at St. Mark’s at the time, began assisting Asher in the camp’s second year. When 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 prepared for college.
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 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. Our mission is to provide a safe but challenging environment where kids can build community while developing athletic skills, independence, and confidence. The 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. We have hired high school friends to work as camp counselors. Many campers attend the same schools as we do, strengthening community connections beyond the summer months.
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.
Campers enjoy their time and often return each year. Parents appreciate that their kids are outside, off electronics, and learning something new. Our prices have remained the same since 2021. We appreciate parents want their kids to be active during the summer, but we don’t want cost to be a deterrent.
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 a week, is rewarding.
PHSS will offer one-week summer sessions beginning June 2026. More information is available at prestonhollowsummersports.com.
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