NEWS & EVENTS

While these popular camps offer introductory tennis instruction that caters to a range of age groups and skill levels, their impact goes far beyond the court. RecTennis Summer Camps keep kids active and engaged, but they also provide the canvas for young campers to interact with one another, build friendships, and grow their social skills and confidence.

At its core, RecTennis is about access, opportunity and personal growth. It often starts with a simple moment — picking up a racquet for the first time at a local park or school gym. From there, it can grow into something much more. Whether they become instructors, teammates, or coaches, young people often discover a deeper sense of purpose and belonging through this pathway.

What makes RecTennis unique is how it bridges opportunity. Some campers return to lead as instructors. Others are inspired to pursue competitive play, whether that’s high school tennis, collegiate tennis or opportunities provided through the broader USTA pathway. Wherever their journey leads — whether it's coaching, competing, or simply staying active — tennis remains a part of who they are.  

Planting the Seeds 

Lucy Erickson, a Portland native, is graduating from Chapman University, in Orange, California this week with a degree in integrated education studies. Despite the many changes in her life over the past five or six years, she continues to credit RecTennis for shaping her development both personally and professionally.   

A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Lucy began playing competitively at age 10 and joined RecTennis in her teens as an instructor at Oak Hills Recreation Center in Beaverton, Oregon. She later became a site director and then a senior site director, calling the program a catalyst not just for teaching tennis fundamentals, but for building critical life skills in young participants.  

She says one of the most rewarding aspects is watching kids — many of whom arrive shy or hesitant  — come out of their shells over the course of the week.   

“I think the growth that I see throughout the week, and from the students who come back year after year is an intrinsic desire to learn that comes from within themselves,” Erickson said. “We don’t give them that, but we give them the opportunity to develop it. I think that’s really special, and that’s what I like so much about the camps.”

Chase Travis has a similar story. He began as a RecTennis participant in his teens and went on to become an instructor in Portland, starting at Mt. Tabor before serving as site director at Sellwood Park. Now a senior at Oregon State, he reflects on the role tennis played in his journey. 

Originally focused on competitive soccer, Travis came to tennis later and appreciated the sport’s more relaxed and welcoming nature. For him, RecTennis was not just about competition, it was about enjoying the game on his own terms.  

“It can teach kids to have fun; you don’t have to be a world-class athlete to enjoy a sport like tennis,” Travis said. 

Though he lacked formal tennis instruction in his youth, Travis eventually played on the Grant High School tennis team while coaching in the summer. 

Both he and Erickson say one of the most meaningful parts of RecTennis is the opportunity to build relationships with participants, families, and fellow coaches. Those connections, they agree, are what make the program truly special for all involved.  

Full-Circle Perspective 

Maggie Fiocchi joined RecTennis at age 15, beginning as a back-up instructor in high school at Howard Amon Park in Richland, Washington. She later played college tennis at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon, before going on to coach both at the high school and collegiate levels. Today, she serves as the associate director of recreational tennis development for USTA PNW, an inspiring example of how early opportunities through RecTennis can spark a lifelong journey in the sport.  

“Each season I returned with a renewed passion to grow the game in my community,” Fiocchi said. “I'm incredibly grateful for the village of people who poured into me and supported my journey. It’s been a privilege to pay that forward, investing in my community, sharing my love for tennis and passing on the life lessons the sport has given me.”

Now in a role focused on community tennis, Fiocchi says it’s an honor to help make the sport more accessible for the next generation. 

Similarly, Lucy Erickson reflects on how her experience with RecTennis shaped her future. The program helped her build leadership skills and discover her passion for working with youth, ultimately influencing her decision to pursue a career in elementary education. This fall, she’ll begin a post-graduate program at Portland State University. 

“One of the things I get out of RecTennis is growth as a leader in building relationships with people, understanding how to make kids feel prioritized and valued, while also achieving the goal of learning tennis,” said Erickson. “The best way to help children develop a love for tennis is to give them strategies to help them overcome their mental blocks and to help boost their self-esteem.”

Much like elementary education, she says that these stories reflect the heart of USTA PNW’s mission: using tennis as a vehicle to build confidence, community and lifelong opportunity. RecTennis is more than a summer camp, it’s a launching point. Whether participants go on to coach, compete, or simply stay active, the growth from the experience stays with them long after the final match.   

To Learn More

To learn more about RecTennis powered by USTA PNW, visit RecTennis.com. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, USTA PNW is committed to removing barriers to play by providing free loaner equipment and offering need-based scholarships, making it easy for every child to pick up a racquet and join the fun.

About USTA PNW

Founded in 1904, USTA Pacific Northwest (USTA PNW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the game of tennis and expanding access across Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and parts of Idaho. As one of 17 sections of the United States Tennis Association, USTA PNW serves over 1.3 million tennis enthusiasts and more than 200 facilities. Through affordable programs, strategic partnerships, and community initiatives, USTA PNW fosters lifelong participation while promoting health and wellness. With more than 400 full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff annually, USTA PNW supports local tennis communities and enhances opportunities for players of all levels. The mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis and inspire healthier people and communities everywhere.