DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Danville Area Community College is helping kids learn the tricks of the trade in sports media.

Throughout the last week, DACC offered a kids sports media camp. It culminated Thursday night at Danville Stadium for the Dans game. Six kids ranging from elementary through high school got a chance to put the mic on and do radio play-by-play and stadium public address announcing.

12-year-old Holden Hightower has been in the program for three years and hopes to be a baseball play-by-play announcer when he grows up.

“A few years ago, my dad and my mom had signed me up,” Hightower said. “And ever since then, it’s been a summer highlight for me to come to camp. It’s been important for me because I’ve been able to learn a lot and I’ve been able to grow. So it’s really helped me.”

Counselor Eric Westfall said the camp gives kids an early advantage if sports media is something they go to college for.

“They already kind of know what to do, and it gives them a leg up on maybe getting involved in some things that maybe some of the other younger kids that are just starting in the program wouldn’t be able to get in,” Westfall said.

Students also got to talk to some real-life sports broadcasters this past week, including the longtime voice of the Illini, Jim Sheppard.