CHALLENGER SOCCER CAMPS

A GEEK DADDY RECEIVED THE FEATURED PRODUCT FOR FREE TO REVIEW

This is the third summer in a row that my kids have spent a week participating in a Challenger Sports soccer camp and once again they had a great time.  My son and daughter enjoy this camp experience because it provides a different approach than ones run by local youth soccer organizations as Challenger Sports has a focus on teaching soccer skills from an international perspective. They do this by utilizing talented college aged instructors from Europe and South America at Challenger Sports soccer camps.

My kids have been coached by instructors from Brazil, Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales during their Challenger soccer camp experiences. The instructors for the soccer summer camps we've attended have been very good at relating to the kids they are coaching and serve as great ambassadors for the part of the world they come from. It is kind of like having a foreign exchange students serving as a soccer coach for a week. This year's instructor was a very nice chap from Scotland who my son and daughter really took a liking to.

From our experience, attendees at Challenger soccer camps get a lot of one-on-one attention. My son and daughter both have told me the tips they've gotten from their camp instructors have helped them tweak aspects of their game and improve on skills providing a leg up in our local rec league's soccer matches. They also appreciate there is a focus on fun in promoting the fun-damentals of soccer. These soccer camps are aimed at recreational players who are looking to get some exercise and entertainment from a summer camp rather than for ultra-competitive travel league type players. So if you are pushing your kid to get a college scholarship for his or her soccer skills starting at 9, 10, or 11 years old these camps aren't for you.

If you have a kid who plays soccer for enjoyment of the game and to have fun doing an activity with teammates, Challenger Sports soccer camps are what you are looking for. Goofy games, helpful drills that build basic soccer skills, and lots of scrimmage games have my kids looking forward to spending summer days participating in Challenger Sports camps. My son and daughter always have a good time and we wouldn't participate in these camps year after year Challenger Sports wasn't a great program to be involved with. Challenger Sports Soccer Camps have absolutely earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval!

In addition to the camp's activities, your registration fee also includes a soccer ball, camp t-shirt, and an app that highlights soccer training drills kids can do at home. When comparing the cost of this camp to other similar programs, you are essentially getting these items for FREE! Plus if you register for a camp 45 days or more before it begins, they also throw in a really nice Challenger Sports soccer jersey for just the cost of shipping and handling. My kids love these jerseys and wear them throughout the year not just at camp.

To find out more about these soccer camps and to find locations near you, go to challengersports.com. If you sign up, please tell them ageekdaddy.com sent you! They appreciate knowing that this dad blogger shared our Challenger Sports soccer camp experiences with you.

CHALLENGER SPORTS SOCCER CAMPS

My kids have spent this week participating in a CHALLENGER SPORTS soccer camp at a nearby neighborhood park.  These camps which take place around the country bring in talented college aged instructors from Europe and South America to teach soccer fundamentals to kids here in the USA. My son and daughter were bummed that their favorite soccer teams in this summer's World Cup competition lost, but were really excited that their coaches at this Challenger Sports soccer camp were from the countries they had been cheering on (Brazil and Britain).  In addition to getting some great tips on improving their soccer skills, the kids also spent a lot of time picking the brains of these two guys about life in the countries they call home. So while these coaches are helping kids develop soccer skills they are also serving as a cultural ambassadors getting camp participants interested in the broader world out there.

They used some goofy games to get kids interest in learning soccer skills. The kids really seemed more enthused in doing drills when they weren't taken too serious and made fun to do. By letting them be silly by doing things like having to wear a cone on their head really got the camps participants engaged in the activities.

Once the kids began getting into the flow of camp and bonding with the coaches, the drills became more advanced and serious.  Ball control, dribbling, defense, passing and shooting were all focused on along with the concept of being a team player and good sport.  There were lots of one-on-one instruction and skill development opportunities during the camp. Plus all the kids seemed to be having a really good time!

I noticed everyone getting a lot of personalized attention.  Both my son and daughter received hands on correction when they weren't doing something right or the way they were handling something could be improved upon. So the coaches were really paying attention to helping each child improve their skills instead of just going through the motions of running the camp.  The kids also received lots of praise and encouragement when they were doing things right.

Of course sometimes a student schools a teacher too. Like when my daughter scored a GOAL on one of the coaches when he really was trying to stop her shot.  She was so excited! Good natured moments like these are what make a camp experience special.

At the end of the camp, the coaches shared with each of the attendees what they personally excelled at and also the things that need to continue practicing on. Plus each camp participant also receives a handwritten report card from a coach to take home with them containing some tips to help them continue improving playing the game and a nice note about the week they had just spent together. My kids are always thrilled by these notes.  It is a really nice touch to wrap up the activities.

In addition to the camp's activities, registration also includes a soccer ball, camp t-shirt, and an app that highlights soccer training drills kids can do at home within your registration fee. When comparing the cost of this camp to other similar programs, you are essentially getting these items for FREE! Plus if you register for a camp 45 days or more before it begins, they also throw in a really nice Challenger Sports soccer jersey for just the cost of shipping and handling. My kids love these jerseys and wear them throughout the year not just at camp.

We've attended Challenger Sports soccer camps now for a few years and my kids were looking forward all summer long to going to this one taking place right before their break from school ends.  They weren't disappointed as they had a wonderful experience at this year's camp. These soccer camps really are an excellent opportunity for kids to be involved with.

For more information about Challenger Sports' British Soccer Camps or to find an upcoming one near you, please visit  www.challengersports.com.