Last year, when I started our first Little Giants Soccer Camp I didn't know what to expect.

Twelve, twenty, even twenty-five campers could have been a good number with which to begin. I had thirty nine campers, ranging from six to thirteen years old.  I was glad of the response we had from our community and considering that I was the new kid in town, I felt really good about the turn out.

We had a great time and I felt that the campers and their families liked what they saw and heard. So, when I started to advertise this year's camp, I hoped for the the same campers to come back and perhaps add a few more.

Well, aside for five campers who didn't come back because they live in another state and are not visiting local relatives as they did last year, plus a handful of kids that went over the age limits, we received an amazing one hundred and eleven application forms!!

We run two camps, one in the morning for children age six to thirteen and one in the evening for high school age kids. Crawfordsville High School Girls varsity team, and Southmont Boys and Girls Varsity team were part of the evening camp, plus several "independent" players who came to enjoy the camp as single participants.

The weather was beautiful, at time slightly hot, but overall nice and clear. Coaches Oleck and Blessing came to share the camp instruction, and our senior Dan Storey, plus Megan and Matt Mummert join us a few days to help out with the camp.

Things went smoothly and I happy to report that I keep receiving e-mails from parents who thank us for the opportunity we gave their children.

My personal thank you goes to Tom Perkins, Wabash Equipment Manager, who took the time to line up the soccer field in time for our camp. Tim Riley, our ground keeper guru, and Mike Morgan for taking care of our soccer pitch. Thanks to PJ Orlando, Avon Sports Apparel, who provided 101 T-shirts in a timely fashion. Thanks to my Assistant Coaches, Oleck and Blessing, for their enthusiastic participation and instruction, to Dan Storey for his contribution, and to Megan and Matt Mummer for their help.

Obviously, my biggest thank you goes to the campers and to their parents who responded in such large numbers to the call. You gave us a great week!

See you next year, probably starting with the 4 years old, as many parents have inquired about their younger ones who were left out!!

Have a great summer Crawfordsville

The following week Assistant Coach Oleck and myself brought our Little Giants Soccer Camp to Crown Point, where we coached thirty Crown Point High School soccer players for an entire week of technical and tactical instruction.

The boys responded with great interest and participation and I was very pleased with their attitude, behavior, and desire to learn.  As a matter of fact, we enjoyed their presence so much that the camp really flew by and we found ourselves asking where the days went!

Thank you Coach Ryan for organizing this event and for giving Jeff and myself a group of fine young gentlemen (perhaps some of them will become Wabash Men!).

Overall, our 2007 Little Giant Soccer Camps had a total of one hundred and forty one campers!! Definitely a success!!