Just say no - to sex!

That's the message being sent to more than 100 campers at the week-long "Time Out!" Teen Pregnancy Prevention Basketball Camp at Opelousas High.

The camp has made its way throughout St. Landry Parish and will continue next week.

According to campers as well as volunteers, the camp has been a huge success.

"We are learning a lot of things here," said Shakira Williams, who is a 13-year-old eighth- grader from Port Barre. "Not only have I learned how to pass the ball through my legs, but I've also learned a lot about what not to do. This camp has been really helpful for me."

Fellow eighth-grader Kimberly Thomas, a 13-year-old student at Westminster agreed with Williams.

"I've really enjoyed it over here," Thomas said. "I've enjoyed the class sessions, where they taught us about safe sex and peer pressure. I've also enjoyed the basketball part of the camp, because they have shown us the fundamentals of basketball. I've learned a lot."

Most attended the camp for basketball purposes, but both Carlos Franklin and Quindel Pitts agreed they have learned more than they thought.

"All I knew is that there was a basketball camp being held here and I wanted to get better at the sport I wanted to play, and I felt this camp would do that for me," said Franklin, who is a 16-year-old junior at Opelousas High. "I didn't even know all of this was going on. When I found out, I couldn't believe there talking about this kind of stuff. I'm glad they did though, because it's been really helpful. They have taught us how to handle pressure situations, about teen pregnancy and how to react in (uncomfortable) situations. They gave us answers on what to do."

Pitts, who is a 14-year-old sophomore at New Life Christian Academy, gave rave reviews to the camp, praising the staff for providing the kids with informative and valuable information on sex and the consequences.

"Not only has this camp taught me about basketball, but its also taught me about sex. It has taught me that the things I learned in the streets about sex were wrong and gave me the right information."

While they love basketball, Franklin and Pitts agreed the best part about the camp has been the discussion sessions.

"Whatever people expressed in our group sessions, stayed in the group," Pitts said. "That really has been the best part of the camp. What made it even better is it didn't focus just on the girls. It was equal. They told us how to deal with peer pressure and that we shouldn't let someone force us into doing something we don't want to do."

Franklin feels he is mentally tougher now that he's received useful information on sex awareness.

"Just say no!" Franklin said. "You don't have to say yes. This camp has taught us that you don't have to crack under pressure from your peers."

Sharae' Celestine and Jacorey Boast, two volunteers at the camp, are glad to see someone take the time to educate kids on the seriousness of sexual behavior.

"It's been very interesting and a lot of fun," said Celestine, a 16-year-old junior at Opelousas High. "This is a really good program. It's helping inform children about teen pregnancy.

"I have the 9 and 11-year-old group, so we don't talk about sex," Celestine said. "But we have talked about peer pressure, communicating and saying no to drugs and alcohol. We would be better off if we had more programs like these."

Boast, a 17-year-old senior at Port Barre, is happy to be a part of the camp because of its goal.

"This camp is not only teaching kids about not having sex at an early age and not to do drugs, but also is another way to keep them off the streets," Boast said. "The camp is teaching them stuff they need to know. It was good they used basketball as a way to get the kids here, because if they would have just offered to talk to kids about sex and drugs - I don't think too many people would've come I don't think."

So what has Pitts gotten out of the camp?

"What I've gotten out of the camp is that we're still kids ourselves," Pitts said. "Kids shouldn't be having kids. Instead, we need to focus on getting our education."

When asked what would be his advice, if a camper told him they were considering having sex, Boast said "don't do it."

"I would tell them there is too many consequences with having sex," Boast said.

"Not only is there the risk of becoming or getting someone pregnant, but there is the risk of catching an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). There is too much responsibility that comes with it and I know half of the people here aren't even thinking about working. It's just too much."

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