One of the best things we have done in our program over the last 20 plus years is host our Friday Night Under the Lights Football Camp.
Our first three camps (two at Paris, one at Mason) were all day on a Friday. It was hot. I realized that all I was getting accomplished was convincing the kids that football was hard and hot. In 1997, we moved our camp to under the lights on a Friday night. Our numbers immediately improved and the kids had alot more fun escaping the heat.
Over the years, there have been a couple times we went over 100. This year, we were in the low 90s.
We divide the camp in two. Kids under 9 do an overall football skill camp. Kids 10 and up go with the HS coaches and players and practice their position. We also introduce strength & speed training. In 2017 we even had yoga! We have some fun stations at the end followed by Titan Football (ultimate frisbee style). Through the night, campers also will participate in a Punt, Pass & Kick contest and we award the prizes at the end of camp.
Farmers National Bank sponsors the camp and that helps with t-shirt expenses. Our bowl sponsor, Little Caesar's, provided pizza as part of their bowl sponsorship.
Kids have a bunch of choices these days. Football is still a GREAT game, but we have to work harder to get the message out there. Friday Night under the lights football camp has been a very effective way to get kids excited about football!
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