There won't be bug juice or arts and crafts, but the inaugural Sports Broadcasting Camp, sponsored by the Scholastic Play-by-Play Network and co-sponsored by Comcast SportsNet, will offer aspiring announcers three days of fun in the sun with local sports personalities (horseback riding with Howard Eskin, perhaps?).

The full-day sessions take place June 19-21 at Bryn Mawr College, where campers 12-18 will learn video editing, reporting, play-by-play announcing, anchoring, producing and more.

Camp director Jeremy Treatman, who came up with idea from his work as a high school football and basketball announcer for his company, the Scholastic Play-by-Play Network, said, "This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the business. I wish there was something like this when I was a growing up."

Special activities include guest lectures by local broadcasters and tours of CSN, WIP-AM and other local facilities. Each camper will have the opportunity to make his/her audition tape, and the top two will get to appear as guest interviewers on CSN. For more information, call 215-546-1608.

Draft Day

For the 23rd consecutive year, ESPN will present live coverage of the NFL Draft tomorrow and Sunday. There will be 17 hours of ESPN and ESPN2 programming with hosts Chris Berman and Mike Tirico. Former Dallas and Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson joins the ESPN team, which includes Mel Kiper Jr. and Chris Mortensen this year for coverage.

Draft Day II

ESPN2 will televise the WNBA draft beginning at 11:30 a.m. today. Matt Devlin, Ann Meyers, Doris Burke and Vera Jones will host the proceedings.

Cinquo de Merrill

Remember when Superman, Batman and other superheroes got together for "Super Friends"?

A similar occurrence will happen when Philly broadcasting legends Merrill Reese and Harry Kalas work together for the first time in their 25-plus years apiece in town. Reese will be the guest announcer with Kalas for the third inning of the Phillies game on May 5.

In honor of Kalas' selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, special guest announcers will join Kalas in the booth for Sunday games. Others lined up include Bob Walk of the Pirates and Ernie Harwell of the Tigers.

Birth announcement

Former Phillies star John Kruk of "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" and his wife, Melissa, welcomed the newest member of the family, Kyle John Kruk, on April 11. Taking after daddy, baby Krukker weighed in at a robust 8 pounds, 10 ounces.

Real Rasheed

Portland Trail Blazers star Rasheed Wallace is profiled on "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO at 10 p.m. Monday. Wallace graduated from Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia.

Thunder changing stations

The Trenton Thunder are moving their radio broadcasts from ESPN Radio 1680-AM to WHWH 1350-AM. The move is being made because of the sale of the WTTM 1680-AM signal from Nassau Broadcasting to Multicultural Broadcasting of New York. All games will be simulcast on both stations until the sale is finalized.

Laura Nachman writes about television and radio sports for the Courier Times. Write her in care of the Courier Times, 8400 Route 13, Levittown, PA 19057, fax 215-949-4177 or e-mail [email protected].

Friday, April 19, 2002