If your family is involved in youth soccer, taking a few days during summer vacation to attend soccer camp is an excellent way to improve skills in a structured setting.
Sawtooth United Football Club tries to bring the best soccer opportunities possible to the valley.
Last year, the club helped sponsor three summer soccer camps for kids in the valley. This year, it's just two—F.C. Seattle in June and One.Premier in July. Both are well regarded and have been held in the Wood River Valley for many years.
Why just two?
Sawtooth United Administrator Lynn Chaldu said, "Due to the later release date this year for Blaine County schools, we could not fit both F.C. Seattle and the Boise State University Summer Soccer Academy in for June. And BSU can only come in June."
If you can't manage either June or July for your child's soccer camp, keep in mind that Ketchum's Atkinson Park as part of its summer youth program is again offering the United Kingdom Recreation Soccer Camp.
Dates for the UK camps are Monday through Friday, Aug. 22-26. Offered in that week are the UK Classic Half-Day Camp (ages 4-14, 9 a.m. to noon, $95) and the UK Classic Full Day Camp (ages 8-14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $145). Visit www.uksocca.com for more details.
Here are details about the two Sawtooth United camps. Call 726-1160 or visit www.sawtoothunited.com for links.
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F.C. Seattle Soccer Camp
The Stuart Lee/F.C. Seattle Soccer Camp has been coaching boys and girls of all ages since 1984. This June's camp is F.C. Seattle's 17th year in the Wood River Valley. Eligible are boys and girls ages 6-15.
Two five-day sessions are being offered. The camps cater to beginner, intermediate and advanced players.
This year's camps are Monday through Friday, June 13-17, and Monday through Friday, June 20-24. The camps meet five days a week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nelson Field adjacent to Hailey Elementary School.
Cost is $135 for the Level 1 "Camp for Champs," for ages 6-10 and $150 for Level 2 Advanced Premier Development, ages 11-15. Sign up by May 1 for a $10 discount, reducing prices to $125 and $140.
According to camp literature, "Whether you have a child who has been kicking the ball around with his/her older sibling or one that has rarely touched a soccer ball, we offer Champs Day Camp. Basic skills are a constant discipline—we teach skills through fun and educational games.
"Our groups are divided by age, then ability; we are conscious of the need for friends to be together during the camp and make every effort to accommodate all our campers."
F.C. Seattle also offers customized team camps, weeklong training programs for U-8 through U-18 teams. Registrations are being taken online at www.fcseattle.com. Call 425-392-0204 or e-mail FCSeattle@comcast.net.
One.Premier Soccer School
Led by a knowledgeable international staff, One.Premier Soccer School returns to Hailey's practice soccer fields near Wood River High School for half- and full-day camps during the week of July 18-22.
Returning to the valley for a sixth year, the local camps are based on age levels. One.Premier teaches what it calls the "Fail Your Way to
Success Philosophy," where mistakes are signposts on the way to success.
The kids take part in exercise drills to improve flexibility and coordination. Youngsters are also trained in speed, agility and quickness. Instructional sessions include passing and receiving, dribbling and turning.
Offered is the One.Juniors camp for coed players ages 6-9. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon. Tuition is $189 if paid by June 1 and $199 after.
The intensive full-day camp for boys and girls ages 10-18 is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Hailey pitch. Cost is $319 for the 40 hours of training ($349 if paid after June 1).
Taking place during the same times as the full-day camp is the One.GK camp, a five-day camp that guides young, developing goalkeepers through a curriculum that develops the technical and tactical aspects of the position. The age range is 10-18.
All players receive a uniform and game-quality ball. For registration visit onesoccerschools.com.
Soccer is a popular summer and fall activity in the Wood River Valley.
