Caroline’s into kickball, while her big brother Andrew loves soccer. Her cousin Katie obsesses over hockey and her BFF Bella excels at volleyball.
Luckily, all four kids can run, jump and kick to their hearts’ content at any one of nearly two dozen sports camps being offered by the St. Charles Park District this summer. Whether a child is into beach volleyball or soccer, there’s a wide array of specialty sports camps– enough to give every budding or accomplished athlete a sporting chance.
“The underlying thing about sports camps is that everyone can have fun,” said Andrew Nelson, Athletics Supervisor. “Kids can experience something new or continue with something they already like to do.”
There are more sports camps than ever this year, according to Nelson. Baseball players can opt for the Baseball/Softball camp for all levels of play. Basketball stars can learn everything about the sport at one of three camps devoted to all things hoop. Volleyball, too, has two camp sessions to choose from. Soccer stars can choose a Developmental Soccer Camp and work their way through the innovative curriculum offered through British Soccer or Chicago Fire Soccer Camps. There are even camps for golf and flag football fanatics.
“The camps are set up as an introduction to the sport,” said Nelson. “They are skill-based and introduce basic concepts but they also can further the skills of players who have some experience with the sport.”
The park district partners with several athletic organizations whose coaches and instructors are high school and collegiate athletes who excel at their particular sport. Joining returning providers such as All Star Sports, River City Lacrosse, EVP Academies, Hot Shot Sports. Challenger Sports and the Chicago Fire Soccer Club.
And for the well-rounded athlete who wants to enhance her or his game-playing skills, the park district offers a number of classes that let players mix it up. The Speed and Agility Boot Camp for kids ages 6 to 11 helps children improve those two essential aspects for any sport, while the Total Sports Camp teaches the essentials of basketball, kickball, soccer, floor hockey, football and t-ball in varying age groups for those ages 3-10.
“The camps are great ways for kids to meet new people, to learn from someone new,” said Nelson. “And it’s a perfect way for kids to just play some outdoor games or work on keeping their sports skills in shape over the summer.”
For more information on sports camps sessions, locations and registration, call Sportsplex at 630-513-4388.
