For Michael Tubbs, executive director of Real Agape, Ballin’ Summer ‘26 is a labor of love. The Ypsilanti native helped create the youth basketball program to provide an enriching recreational outlet for local Ypsilanti youth.
Tubbs “wanted to support these kids…take the things [he] learned from the Boys and Girls Club”. Tubbs shared that since the Ypsilanti area Boys and Girls Club closed a few years ago, there are fewer safe recreational spaces for youth in the area. The goal of Ballin’ Summer ’26 is to support kids’ personal growth and give them this space.
Six community organizations have collaborated to launch the program this year, whose aim is to provide a safe space where kids play basketball and learn from positive role models to support personal growth over the summer. The groups running the program include: CLR Academy, Real Agape, The Corner Health Center, Ypsi CAN, Supreme Felons and Washtenaw County My Brother’s Keeper jointly organize the program.
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All about Ballin’ Summer 2026
Ballin’ Summer ’26 is open to youth ages 8-18. Pre-registration is not required, and kids can sign in upon arrival. The program is completely free. Each session starts around 5pm, and begins with open dialogue focused on social emotional skill development. Then, participants break up into groups, based on their age (12 and under and 13 and up), and engage in basketball drills, followed by a final game. Participants round up again at the end of the session, before leaving for the evening. According to Tubbs, attendance has hovered around 40 kids per session so far.
Each day will offer different programming: On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, participants will engage in basketball drills, mentorship, training and competitive games. On Tuesdays, participants will engage in field games, challenges and other activities hosted by some of the organizations including Real Agape and the YMCA at Fireman’s Park.
Where will Ballin’ Summer 2026 be held?
The program will take place at the following 5 locations this summer: Parkridge Community Center, Prospect Park, Fireman’s Park, West Willow Park and Grace Fellowship Church House of Solutions.
Ballin’ Summer 2026 date and schedule
The program will run from June 8-August 13 from 5-7 pm, rotating across five different Ypsilanti area parks. The daily schedule is as follows:
- Mondays at Parkridge Community Center
- Tuesdays at Fireman’s Park
- Wednesdays at West Willow Park
- Thursdays at Apple Ridge
- Fridays at Prospect Park
Special events
Tournaments and special events occurring throughout the summer include:
- Ballin’ Summer 2026 Tournament: Participants will be able to participate in final basketball tournaments held on July 24 3-6pm at West Willow Park and August 14 3-6pm at Prospect Park
- Real Agape’s 4th Annual Ypsi Stand Up Field Day: Real Agape will host the 4 Annual Field Day, a fun-filled day of field day games, face painting, obstacle courses, a bounce house and more. The event will be held on August 15 1-6 at Four Lakes Park in Ypsilanti.
Contact
For more information on Ballin’ Summer ’26, check out the facebook page or reach out to Michael Tubbs, Executive Director at Real Agape, at [email protected].
