The camp has been made available for a fee to children ages 5-15 through three week-long sessions.

This is the third annual soccer camp the Brazilian Soccer Club on Camp Foster has offered expanding from the shorter, weekend-long sessions offered previously.

Members of the club provide the soccer camps to help prepare players interested in developing their soccer skills or just for children looking for something to do during the summer. 

According to Raman Arredondo, President of the BSC, the big change for soccer day camp this year was they held evening sessions as well.

“Since the weather is very hot around this time of the year we wanted to give the younger groups the cooler time of the day,” said Arredondo.

This change was also made because many parents couldn’t come to previous years morning sessions, according to Arredondo.

These evening sessions also allow for service members from the Single Marine Program and other Marines and sailors from around the island to volunteer and assist with the children.

The number of participants increased from last year. They have 125 soccer enthusiasts attending camp this year and more applying online each day, he added. Monday is the last day children can register for this year’s camp sessions.

During the camp, participants practiced passing and dribbling exercises as well as completing a series of obstacle courses to refine fundamental skills.

“Whoever wants to play soccer when they come to Okinawa should definitely check out the soccer camp,” said Niles G. Obar, a 10-year old soccer player attending the camp. “The coaches and staff aren’t going to let you mess around during practice but they won’t laugh or make fun of you when you need help either.”

Roberto Iwashita, the BSC coach, encouraged players to use both legs, emphasizing that being able to play with both legs would give them an advantage over other players.

The staff of the camp were constantly interacting with the children and demonstrating proper techniques whenever the youngsters didn’t understand a drill.

The success of soccer camp is always due to the support of volunteers like the staff members helping out, many of which are from the Single Marine Program, according to Arrendondo.

“I love being outside, and it’s great to be able to come out here and work with these kids,” said Lance Cpl. Lisa Harris, staff member and volunteer for the event from Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “The second I heard about this I jumped and called to volunteer to help out.”

Prospects in each age group competed in soccer drills and scrimmages while being evaluated by Iwashita to see if they needed to stay in that group or had the potential to play with an older group.

“We hope the Brazilian Soccer Club is always available to offer this opportunity to the kids because it keeps them interested in soccer and gives them a physical challenge as well,” said Arredondo.

The soccer camp, which is only held on Camp Foster during the summer, is preparing to begin its final session Monday.

For more information about the soccer club camp call at 646-6452 or (080) 1769-2040 or e-mail ramonarredondo@usmc.mil. To register online for this years camps, e-mail brazilian.soccer.club@gmail.com or braziliansc.com by Monday.