Usher opens summer camp

Usher, the 26-year-old R&B; star who began singing at age 6, has opened a summer camp in his hometown of Atlanta to help some other prodigies-in-training.

One hundred and fifty campers, ages 8 to 18, hole up at Clark Atlanta University for two weeks, honoring their specialties -- either singing, dancing or basketball -- and learning about the respective industries.

Participants at Camp New Look also sit in on panels and discussion sessions with agents, managers and sports executives to learn the financial side of entertainment and sports. Their lessons will be put to the test July 23, when they are expected to coordinate a charity celebrity basketball game and headline the halftime show.