JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's tennis is teaming up with C.A.M.P Osprey this season and are proud to be mentors with local education partners.

Under the direction of Dr. Andra Buenaño and Dr. Matthew Ohlson, CAMP Osprey which is a Collegiate Achievement Mentoring Program (CAMP) is an innovative leadership mentoring program that pairs collegiate leaders from the University of North Florida (UNF) with K-12 students to increase student leadership development and college/career readiness skills. The women's tennis team has been working with local Lake Shore Middle School. 

"This is a great opportunity for our student-athletes to interact with young women and show them both tennis skills and life skills," said head coach Mariana Cobra. "The young ladies that are interacting with our student-athletes will not be the only ones who benefit. Our girls will get a sense of accomplishment and step outside their comfort zones to take part in this program. All together this is beneficial to both sides."

The first event with the team was when students came out to the courts to take part in a tennis skills academy. The school then returned their new found excitement for tennis by attending the Ospreys final fall event, the UNF Invite.

The student-athletes are given the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, mentor a child in those same skills and make a difference in their community. CAMP Osprey helps the understanding of community-based, transformation learning that there are cost-efficient and mutually beneficial learning experience that can be implemented.

CAMP Osprey is modeled after CAMP Gator at the the University of Florida. Their research has shown a decrease in suspensions and increase in mentees grade-point averages as well as increased public speaking abilities, goal setting and leadership skills for the mentors.

Here is what the players are saying:
To me, this partnership means I have the opportunity to help someone. It feels really good to be a part of the girls' lives and encourage them to follow their dreams. I was like them once and I am grateful I had someone to look up to. Now its my turn to be the one they look up to. I look forward to seeing them again soon.
- Freshman Lucia Montaño

This partnership has given me a connection to young girls like no other. I have never been part of anything like this and it feels to reach out and be part of something bigger. I believe the more time our teams spend with the girls individually, the more impact we will have on their future. I am excited to see them grow into the person they strive to be. I believe in them.
- Sophomore Kinga Gartner

Being a part of the CAMP Osprey team is an experience I will look back on with a smile on my face. Being surrounded by those sweet, middle school girls who dream is to one day go to college and grow as young women, made me feel grateful and lucky. I hope to be an inspiration for them as they were for me and I look forward to many more experiences with CAMP Osprey.
- Senior Michelle Valdez

This partnership means a lot to me. I feel like we can really have a positive impact on these girls and their development. I am very excited to be part of their journey. It is important to have people to look up to. We all have them and if we can be that person for someone, that is a great accomplishment and responsibility that I am willing to take on. I can't wait to build a closer relationship with the girls and get to know them better.
- Junior Luise Intert

This community service impacts my life because I understand how little actions can change so much. I like the idea of having a younger girl to reach out to and influence in a positive way and give the girls the opportunity to feel secure to come talk to use. Finally I love the fact that I am helping in the community.
- Sophomore Rafaela Gomez

This partnership is very important for me to keep me on track of my dreams. Young girls help me remember where I am coming from and that I have a long path to fulfill. In addition, it gives me power to positively influence someone's life. The girls let me connect to them in a way that is both beneficial for us and I am grateful for this experience.
- Junior Irina Karagozshivili

I just want to say thank you to CAMP Osprey for this opportunity. So far it has been a motivating experience that I am enjoying. The girls that I have met have a good heart and all seem to have goals and a desire to achieve them and that is something I can relate to. It is nice when someone looks up to you because that makes you want to be better and that is the impact that these girls are having on me. They make me want to do more just to show that everything is possible. Thank you for this experience and I look forward to continue to work with them.
- Senior Quetzali Vazquez