A challenge is defined as; "An objection or query as to the truth of something, often with an implicit demand for proof." A challenge can come to you in life in many forms, but also seems to end up bringing out the best in you. It makes you prove your strength whether it's in mental toughness, resolve, or skill if it's in terms of basketball.
A very tough decision for parents with young gifted athletes is the dilemma of whether or not to allow their child to "play up" in an older age group to keep their child with the kids and friends of the same age and grade. There are as expected two schools of thought on this, and neither one is right or wrong. In my opinion, though, playing against older, and/or more experienced competition is the best way to learn how to play the game. You may be the best person your age in the area, state, or even country but that doesn't mean you should be bound to not being able to grow in skill level. Playing against people who are older more highly skilled, and experienced forces you to become more creative in the way that you move and create your opportunities on offense, and on the defensive end forces you to work harder then you may be used to, or in cases when you're giving up a strength advantage forcing you to use your head to create ways to stop a person they are defending.
There are pros and cons like most decisions you must make as a parent whether the older children are a good influence, but I argue that any child who is pouring their whole summer helps to develop the qualities of responsibility, and friendships that last a lifetime. Being able to handle the grind of an summer basketball program helps in the classroom as well as on the court. Whether you are playing in the same age group or up to the next level it should be what the child wants at the end of the day because it is just a game, and at the end of the day this game will always be life.