Sports only started to gain mass appeal in the 20th century, when they replaced our old national pastime—collecting pathogenic bacteria in our intestines. Get in the game with this Groupon.

Choose Between Two Options

• $59 for a four-hour day of adult tennis camp for one (a $120 value)
• $99 for a four-hour day of adult tennis camp for two (a $240 value)<p>

Under the guidance of certified tennis pros, four to eight adults master basic skills and drills in 90-minute group lessons, and then hone in on problem areas during a 30-minute semiprivate lesson with one other student. Forty-five minute sessions of match play and ball-machine practice precede a final 30 minutes of lunching at the beach. Camps are appropriate for beginner and intermediate players and include all equipment. See the full camp schedule.<p>

Franklin Park Tennis Association

Lasting friendships could be a natural side effect of the fast-paced match play that occurs atop Franklin Park Tennis Association’s Shattuck Grove courts. The nonprofit organization enlists certified tennis pros to teach fundamentals during summer classes and camps and winter indoor lessons, while fostering a sense of community among players.

On Saturdays during the summer, classes for kids, youths, and adults are scheduled one after the other. This gives parents an opportunity to chat as kids play, and players get some time to connect before hitting the courts. Competitors can walk away with new comrades and a greater appreciation for active, healthy living that’s usually only obtained by blending a year’s worth of fitness magazines into a morning smoothie.