Soccer Camp

Two weeks ago the kids went to a Challenger British Soccer Camp here in Bryant.  It was from 8:30 to 10:30 each morning for 5 days.  I thought it would be something fun for them to do, help them learn more about soccer and better their skills, and let them get some GOOD exercise outdoors!  I think it did all of those things.  They seemed to really enjoy it, learned a lot, and worked up some serious sweat!  It was super HOT!

I love all the action pictures.  I took lots of pictures.  There were only 6 kids in their age group which I think was the perfect number.  This camp teaches through play, so the kids played lots and lots of fun games all the while working on different skills.

This game was Mud Monsters.  One person was the mud monster and went around trying to tag the others.  Meanwhile, they had to dribble the ball away from the mud monster to try to keep from being tagged.  If they were tagged, they had to stand like Hannah is standing below and scream, "Help! Help! I'm stuck in the mud!"  Another teammate had to come kick their ball through their legs to get them unstuck.

Coach Luke, who was from Wales, was really good.  He taught them cute little catchy ways to remember skills like "Three, on the knee."

This game was called The Sleeping Giant.  Coach Luke was the sleeping giant.  All the kids had to try to dribble towards him while he was sleeping.  If he looked up though, they had to stop really quick and be still.

They were trying to get up close enough to get the "gold" and run away with it without the giant knowing.  Here is Hannah about to get some gold.

Love Lincoln's face!  He was definitely having fun!!

Coach Luke dressed up one day with items that each kid brought for him to wear.  Hannah brought the wig and Lincoln brought the green tie.

At the end of each day, they would spend a few minutes playing for the World Cup.  They divided into 2 teams of three.  Hannah was on team Australia, and Lincoln was on team China.  They played a little game where the kids got to try to score goals.  Both kids did really well at this.

Sweet Layt hung out with me each day in the hot, hot sun!  He is just so good.

Here is Coach Luke on the last day holding up the World Cup explaining to the kids what they were playing for.

In the few minutes they played, Hannah scored 2 goals and Lincoln scored 1!  She was so proud of herself, I could tell.  This was definitely a confidence booster!

Lincoln scoring his goal!

At the end, Australia won.  Coach Luke congratulated them and then picked one player from each team that was like the MVP of the team.  Lincoln got it for his team!  Yay!  Coach Luke used the World Cup as a make-shift microphone and had Lincoln say a few words upon his receiving his award.  Ha!  So cute!  I think Lincoln just said, "Thank you!"

Hannah got MVP of her team!  Not sure she said anything, but she was proud! :)

At the end, they both received a t-shirt and a note from their coach telling them what good skills they had and just encouraging them.

Group picture.  I forgot to mention that they had to make their own flags for their country for the World Cup!

Goofy group picture!

I think this was well worth the time and the money.  I know the kids had a blast and learned a lot!  We are really having a good summer!