Over 165 campers attended the 16th annual Toe River Racqueteers Tennis and Pickleball Camps this summer, hosted by Partners Aligned Toward Health (PATH). They enjoyed mostly sunny weather on the Mountain Heritage High School courts, where they learned new skills, connected with friends, and got a chance to put their energy to good use!
These free, 4-day tennis and pickleball camps would not be possible without the enthusiastic guidance of USPTA Master Professional and founder of Tennis Insights, “Coach Mike” Baldwin, alongside his wife and fellow coach, Willi Baldwin. It’s usually easy to recognize Coach Mike by the vibrant, feather-adorned straw hat he wears year after year to coach budding tennis and pickleball students.
It’s become a tradition for students to bring unique feathers they find for Coach Mike’s hat. The hat was inspired by one of Coach Mike’s tennis skills exercises called a “bird check” where students have to look up and catch a falling tennis ball with a plastic cone. Meant to build coordination and awareness for his students, the “bird check” exercise gave rise to his memorable feathered hat as well.
However, on September 26th, 2024, tragedy struck and Helene washed away the Baldwin’s beloved home, along with years of memories, their collection of Toe River Racqueteers shirts, and Coach Mike’s iconic, feathered hat. Despite experiencing the unimaginable, Mike and Willi rallied to be there for tennis and pickleball campers, providing much-needed continuity and hope after such a turbulent year for this community.
Coach Willi, who always instructs the youngest and most inexperienced campers in each group, said, “They’re all so incredibly well behaved this year! They’re so focused,” recognizing that the campers were grateful to be back with their friends to experience the same camp they’ve always loved.
To show Coach Mike and Coach Willi how much they are treasured as coaches and mentors, the Toe River Racqueteers’ camp coordinators, Tara Brozanski and Elizabeth Stephens, presented Mike with a brand new straw hat to replace the one he lost. And campers have already brought him a bird’s-worth of feathers of every shape, size, and color to share their gratitude for his coaching, encouragement, and dedication.
Partners Aligned Toward Health extends its gratitude to the Yancey County Health Department for sponsoring this year’s camp. Their support allows the camps to provide free t-shirts, tennis racquets, and pickleball supplies to all participants. Special thanks are also due to Mountain Heritage High School for offering a safe and welcoming space for the camp.
