by Kelley Schaefer-Levi
Are your kids itching to try soccer? Maybe they’ve been playing for a while, can’t get enough and are hoping to build on their skills. A Soccer Shots camp may be the perfect camp for your young players. Camps are right around the corner and are filled with fun, skill building, games, socialization, character building and a ton of soccer. This summer coaches will use a special curriculum celebrating the 2015 Women’s World Cup and work in small groups to ensure a positive experience for every child.
Camps differ from Soccer Shots park programs because camps happen every day for a week and are an extended format. This means more soccer (and fun) for a longer period of time. Campers start each day with a song, do a soccer craft, and learn about the World Cup. Then, trained professional coaches work with players to embrace soccer fundamentals and challenge them to try or master advanced soccer concepts and skills through imaginative, high-energy game play.
Of their camps, coach and Executive Director Joel Newman says, “Campers can expect to have a lot of fun and to get a lot of exercise. Playing in our non-competitive, skill developing games, kids get to use their imagination and pretend to be race cars, mountain climbers and World Cup players.”
Camps offer a low coach to player ratio of 1:7 so each camper has a lot of one-onone time with the coaches. Coaches also introduce different character concepts to campers through games. The games they play are silly, reinforce soccer fundamentals, teach advanced skills and challenge players to embrace positive character traits like sportsmanship, respect and honesty that they can practice on and off the field. As an added bonus, campers will improve their coordination, balance, and agility.
Kids aged 4-8 can attend Soccer Shots camps and skill level doesn’t matter. According to coach Kailyn Lamb, “We welcome the newcomer and the advanced player. Our coaches are professionals who are great at tailoring the camp to challenge all skill levels.”
Registration is open now and Early Bird specials will save you money! Families registering in March save $30, in April $20 and in May, camps will be their regular price. For more information about dates, camps and to register, head to pdx.ssreg.org.
