24 august 1968 & tennis day camp @anacostia recreation center

#OTD-ish 24 August 1968 The DC Recreation Department in partnership with the Washington Area Tennis Patrons Foundation offered all-day tennis summer camps throughout the city. Tennis camps were held at Anacostia, Banneker, Deanwood, Francis, Rosedale and Takoma recreation centers; and Langdon, Randall and Rose Park playgrounds. The summer program began on 17 June and ended on 20 August. 800 children and teens, ages 10-13 years old, participated in the camps. Rackets and balls were provided.

In the photo above, James Banks, 12 years old, who was one of the participants at the camp held at the Anacostia Recreation Center (11th & Pennsylvania Ave, SE), presented an award to Mayor-Commissioner Walter Washington, supported by camp participants and instructors.

Another highlight of the summer was Tennis Day on 23 July 1968 when Arthur Ashe and Donald Dell played a game at the Anacostia Recreation Center.

Your comments are welcome below. Did you, family members or neighbors participate in a tennis camp in 1968? Did you know James Banks? Do you recognize anyone in the photograph? Did you see Arthur Ashe and Donald Dell play? Did you learn to play tennis at a camp? Were you a camp instructor? Do you have photographs of tennis playing/courts? You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Courtesy DC Public Library Special Collections, Evening Star newspaper photo collection, 20 August 1968, F. Routt, photographer.
"Registration Set for Tennis Camp," Evening Star 16 June 1968.
"Tennis Day Camps to Hold Cook-Out," Evening Star 18 August 1968
"Ashe Plays Pasarell on Tennis Day," Evening Star 22 July 1968.
"Action Line," Evening Star 15 June 1968. There were clay courts at Anacostia.