"You Got It, Girl": How Shantell Built a Basketball Camp That Moves More Than Just the Game
Winthrop, Mass. - When Shantell Jeter was seven years old, she picked up a basketball and stepped into a youth center — two experiences that would quietly lay the foundation for her life’s work. Now, years later, she’s the founder and director of "You Got It Girl," an all-girls basketball camp designed to build more than just athletic skills.
Currently in its third year, the program is grounded in the acronym G.I.R.L. — Growing Independent Resilient Leaders — and it’s more than a name. It’s a mission.
“This camp is special because it’s all girls. The staff is all women. It’s a space where girls can be themselves, grow, and see what it’s like to move their bodies with confidence,” Shantell explained.
The camp isn’t just about drills and scrimmages — it’s about community, creativity, and confidence. Each day starts early, with Shantell arriving 45 minutes before doors open to prepare. After a big group warm-up that blends younger and older participants, the girls move through different stations led by coaches — each of whom is responsible for creating their own routine. “We’re not just teaching skills. We’re teaching creativity, leadership, and how to work together,” she said.
The program is also backed by thoughtful evaluation. In partnership with The Change Lab at Northeastern University, the girls and their parents complete weekly surveys that reflect on confidence and growth. It’s an intentional touch that highlights how serious Shantell is about not just doing the work — but measuring the impact.
The drive to start “You Got It Girl” came from a deep, personal place. “I’m someone that if something isn’t there, I’m excited to create it,” she said. Growing up in youth centers, Shantell knew firsthand what it meant to have — or not have — access to supportive spaces. “I wanted to create a space where girls had everything they needed. Where they could just be.”
Her basketball journey has shaped her leadership. After taking a break from playing at Lasell University, she returned and realized how much she had missed. “If I hadn’t gone back, I would have never known what I was missing,” she said. “Basketball was the gateway — it helped me reconnect with my body, with movement, with confidence.” The same idea now fuels her campers. Movement is the foundation, but it’s the growth off the court that matters most.
Shantell credits mentors throughout her life and career. Their early support planted a seed. Today, she encourages others to find their people too. “Do it. Start something new. Make connections. Find your tribe — the people who will help you grow.” If she could go back and give advice to her younger self, she would “tell her to find a mentor and ask for support sooner. You don’t have to do everything alone. Find your people.” And thanks to Shantell, dozens of young girls now have someone — and somewhere — to help them do just that.
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