FRANKLIN—The Western Tidewater Tennis Association hopes to spread around a love for tennis in the area with summer camps starting next week.

The camps begin Monday, June 20, and are open to all ages and skill levels. Registration for the camps, which will be taught by James L. Camp Jr. YMCA and Cypress Cove Country Club tennis pro Ken Cussick, remains open. Rates for the weeklong camps range from $20 for 5- to 6-year-olds to $75 for older players. The camps will be held at Cypress Cove Country Club.

Scholarships are also available, said WTTA President Sheryl Raulston.

“There is money available to send kids to camp, but we have no applications,” she said.

To qualify for a scholarship, a family’s income must be less than $50,000 a year and the participant must complete an application.

Raulston said the association hopes to have more participants sign up.

“It’s part of helping to keep kids healthy, and it helps grow tennis in the area,” Raulston said.

The camps are split into four skill levels and are based on age. For ages 5-6, there is Quickstart, a new way of learning tennis that uses lighter racquets, smaller court dimensions, lower nets, modified scoring and softer, slower balls.

There is also a Quickstart program for ages 10 and under.

The junior varsity level is designed for players ages 11 and older who have not played much. The camp includes an introduction to match play and is designed for up-and-coming high school or tournament players.

The varsity level is designed for high school-age players who have experience playing tennis. The camp will cover advanced stroke production, strength, agility, quickness and mental training.

Cussick said the camps last from 45 minutes a day for younger kids to three hours for the more advanced levels.

“We’re trying to get tennis going,” Cussick said. “It’s a great sport socially.”

Those interested in attending a camp can contact Raulston at 635-9820 or Cussick at 287-6678 or send an email to wtta.tennis@gmail.com. Camps will continue through Sept. 3.