More than 30 dads spent Father's Day playing basketball with their kids at the Father Child Overnight OU Basketball Camp.

"It is a great event that gives dads a chance to spend the weekend with their kids doing something that their kids enjoy doing," said Bryan Goodman, director of basketball operations. "This is my first time doing a camp like this, but I am glad we did after seeing how much the dads enjoy playing with their kids."

Oklahoma head basketball coach Jeff Capel said that even though coaching a camp for fathers and their kids was a first for him, he enjoyed it and was impressed with what he saw.

"We had a good group of fathers and kids that have a passion for the game of basketball, but more importantly, they have passion for each other," Capel said. "It was good to get them out here so they could share that passion."

For this camp, a three day event, Capel said he spent time working with the participants on drills to improve their fundamentals and competitions to show their improvement, but the main focus of the camp is for everyone to have fun and enjoy spending time together.

Steve VanHorn, a father at the camp who has been bringing his kids for the last nine years, said spending the time with his kids at this camp is something both he and his kids look forward to every year.

"When my son heard that Kelvin (Sampson) was leaving OU, he had a tear in his eye. And when I asked what was wrong, he said, 'Does this mean we won't have our camp anymore?'" VanHorn said. "This is why this camp is great: They don't learn a lot about basketball here, but the kids get to spend time having fun with their dads."

VanHorn's son Caleb, 13, said he was glad to see that Capel was going to continue the camp because it gave him a chance to spend time with his dad.

"I play ball with my dad almost every day, but it is about making me better," Caleb said. "This camp gives us the chance to just have fun playing together."

Goodman said the camp is not just for dads who play all the time but it is also for dads who rarely or never play but want a chance to spend time with their kids doing something their kids enjoy.

VanHorn said several of the dads might only play basketball once a year and those dads can physically struggle to make it though the camp, but they are the dads that make the camp mean something.

"I admire them the most," VanHorn said. "You know they don't really play ever but they are out here doing this and having fun doing it because they are with their kids. Those dads are what make this camp special."

Capel said that he could tell some of the dads had never played before and were struggling to make it though the day, but the important part was that they were all having a good time.

VanHorn said he was impressed with the way Capel ran his first Father Child Camp and that he has already started making plans with his kids to attend next year's camp.
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