The youth sports camps at FHC have had large successes.
Including multiple sports such as basketball and soccer, the camps are packed with drills that the kids will learn from, while also helping the high school students get involved. These camps can help high schoolers get involved with the community and their specific sports programs, and it gives them an idea of what coaching looks like. For some, it helps inspire them to look into coaching in the future. Senior Abby Cole has helped run the youth soccer camps since she was a freshman and has learned how to help the kids in the best way possible.
“I’ve learned that it’s important to be patient with kids, but also [to] get their attention and keep it without them getting upset,” Abby said. “It takes a lot of patience because a lot of the kids don’t listen, or they think it’s funny to goof off. So you have to have patience.”
One of the main benefits of the camps is their impact on the community. Whether it is through the sports program or the community of FHC, they have a very positive impact on the community and set kids up to be prepared for the coming years, and eventually, have a successful high school athletic journey. Junior Luka Nuo has helped run multiple boys’ youth lacrosse camps this past summer, and he has found that there is an extremely positive impact on the community from these camps.
“I definitely think [the camps help the community],” Luka said. “All the knowledge you know from high school and playing in high school you can give it down to the kids, and you’re giving back to the community as well.”
These camps are very beneficial for high school students. It is fun to coach the kids and help them learn while also playing the sport the high schoolers love. It is special to see the kids’ interactions and how they are enjoying the time at the camps. It is also beneficial for them since running the camps is helpful for college applications and also for getting National Honor Society (NHS) community service hours.
“[The last day of the camp is] always my favorite day, because the kids are so happy, and then they get popsicles after,” Abby said. “I just feel like it’s really fun getting to see the kids run around and being able to run around with them. I think it’s fun.”
Most of the high school athletes’ favorite part of the camps is having fun with the kids. They make sure it is the best experience for the kids, and they help them learn many new skills while also having fun. Junior Will Costello has helped run every youth basketball camp this year and enjoys helping the kids and having fun with them.
“[My favorite part of the camps is] definitely seeing the kids’ reaction because I know I used to be like that,” Will said. “I used to be those little kids having a blast out there, playing basketball, hitting shots, and just having fun.”
Many students learn from running the camps and working together with their teammates. It gives them an introduction to being a coach and teaches them how to adapt to different situations and the needs of the kids they are coaching.
Overall, the youth sports camps are very helpful for the kids, but also have a large effect on the high school athletes. It has a big positive impact on the community, and almost every sport has a youth sports camp (you can sign up here at fhcrangercamps.com). The camps do a great job of preparing kids for the next level, from learning a new skill to drills that are used in high school practices.
“I definitely think it’s really big to impact your community because your community helps build you and put you where you are,” Will said. “It’s just your obligation to help bring those guys where you are.
