Free Tre’ Lester Youth Football Camp July 25 at BTW aims to boost local kids
JOURNAL SPORTS
The second annual Tre’ Lester Youth Football Camp, a free community event designed to provide youngsters with football instruction, mentorship, and character development opportunities, is ramping up for a fun morning at Leonard C. Barnes Stadium in Shreveport Saturday, July 25.
The camp, presented by the Lighthouse Youth Foundation, will take place from 9 a.m.-noon in the home stadium for the Booker T. Washington Lions, where Lester is an assistant coach working with the offensive line. He was a standout at C.E. Byrd High School who became a starting lineman at UAPB before retiring from playing football. He holds degrees from UAPB and Texas Southern.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. July 25. Participants may register in advance through the official registration form or register on site the morning of the event. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-14 at no cost.
The camp aims to allow local youth to develop their athletic skills while learning the importance of leadership, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance both on and off the field.
Camp instruction and mentorship will be provided by current and former football athletes, including Booker T. Washington High School football players, former collegiate football players, and members of the Shreveport Rouxgaroux organization.
Among the camp counselors will be 2025 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Ckelby Givens, a Captain Shreve standout who was an FCS All-America defensive end at Southern; another former Gator, Rhema Getter, who played at Arkansas-Monticello and Centenary; Kaleb Tucker, a Texas Southern receiver who was a standout at Huntington and Calvary Baptist; and former Calvary defensive back Kobe Byrd, who played at Louisiana Tech at Mississippi Valley.
Participants will receive hands-on instruction through football drills, skills development activities, and interactive coaching sessions.
Following a successful inaugural camp that welcomed approximately 30 young athletes from the Shreveport-Bossier community, organizers are expecting an even larger turnout this year.
“As someone who grew up in Shreveport and benefited from mentors who invested in me, I believe it is important to give back to the next generation,” said Lester, co-founder of the Lighthouse Youth Foundation. “This camp is about much more than football. It is about helping young people build confidence, character, leadership skills, and positive relationships that can impact their future.”
The Lighthouse Youth Foundation operates under the guiding principle of Matthew 5:15-17, encouraging young people to be a light within their schools, communities, and families through service, leadership, and personal growth.
Community members interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or assisting with the event are encouraged to contact the Lighthouse Youth Foundation at lhyfoundation@gmail.com. Additional updates and information can be found on social media at @lhyf.515.
Registration is available through the official camp registration form on www.lhyfoundation.org
The Lighthouse Youth Foundation is a community-focused organization dedicated to empowering young people through mentorship, leadership development, education, athletics, and service opportunities. Inspired by Matthew 5:15-17, the foundation seeks to encourage youth to shine as leaders in their communities while fostering personal growth, service, and lifelong success.