Even though school has been out for a few weeks, activity hasn’t slowed down one bit … not with the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer Sports Camps in full swing.

From the Slamma Jamma Basketball Camp (with Bob Ruderman) and Tennis Camp (with Greg Sansonetti and Dave Kardas) to the first-ever Nighthawk Baseball Camp (with Carl Strait), the local fields and gymnasiums have been bustling with activity.

And while dozens of young athletes were learning some of the finer points of their respective sports, a national champion took time out to stop by and visit.

Maria Conlon, a member of the 2003-04 National Champion UConn women’s basketball team, stopped by the Slamma Jamma Basketball Camp on Friday to run through some drills with the ballplayers. Conlon averaged 5.9 points per game in her senior year with the Lady Huskies and was one of only two players (Jessica Moore was the other) to appear in all 70 games of the Huskies’ historic 70-game winning streak.

At Seymour High School, Conlon was a Gatorade State Player of the Year, a two-time state championship MVP, a WBCA honorable mention All-American, and owns the state record for three-pointers in a season (86) and career (246).

Seymour High was 96-4 in her time there.

Other Slamma Jamma sessions will begin on July 26 and August 9.

Around town –

At Newtown High School, the first-ever Nighthawk Baseball Camp was teaching young players some of the finer aspects of the sport. There were games and drills led by coaches Carl Strait (NHS head coach) and Pat Cooke and a number of current high school players.

Just a few steps away, young players were being introduced to the sport of field hockey with instructional sessions led by NHS head coach Kathy Davey, assistant coach Russ Davey, and past and present players. The staff introduced young players to offense and defensive strategies as well as the art of goaltending.

At Dickinson Park, Greg Sansonetti and Dave Kardas – with tennis professional Gustavo Raes – are teaching young tennis players the proper techniques for forehands, backhands, serves and volleys. The first session began on June 28 with other two-week sessions beginning on July 12, July 26, and August 9.

At Hawley School, the sport of lacrosse – focusing on all aspects of the game, including shooting, transition, man up and man down strategies, passing and catching, offense and defense – was being taught by Newtown High School head coach Brian Micena.

And back at the high school this week, the first-ever Girls Softball Camp – led by Newtown High School head coach Jay Edwards – instructed players ages 11 to 15 in some of the finer aspects of the sport.

There is more to come, too.

The MLS Soccer Camp will return to the Newtown Middle School on Monday, July 12, and run through Friday, July 16. The camp is open to players ages 4 to 18. Each participant will receive a t-shirt and soccer ball, an evaluation, an MLS gift and a free companion ticket to a NY/NJ Metrostars game at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

And the Lacrosse Academy – led by Nazareth College head coach Rob Randall – will return to Hawley School July 12-16. The Academy offers extensive individual instruction, along with daily participation in actual game situations. While developing skills will be the focus, the coaching staff will stress the significance of academic and athletic excellence. The staff will also include Sacred Heart University All-American Deirdre Hynes, four-time Nazareth College All-American and current Rochester Rattlers goaltender Jake Coon, Hobart College All-American and current member of the Rattlers Tim Booth.

A campin’ we will go!