The Vermilion High School football team recently hosted a youth football camp with a great turn out of campers entering kindergarten through eighth grade. There were 86 daily campers that came out and learned the fundamentals of football from the members of the varsity football team, and the high school coaching staff.
It was a great turn out for first year head coach Matt Kobal. Aside from the fundamentals of football the campers participated in a various skills challenges arranged by their grade level which included accuracy throws, 40-yard dash, long punt and pass, and even an obstacle course. The campers ended their week by played a game of two hand touch football being coached by the high school athletes.
This camp was part of a combined effort by the Vermilion Local Schools, the Vermilion Recreation Department, and the Vermilion Family YMCA along with several community volunteers to offer a comprehensive youth football program for pre-school age children on up to high school. This program has been widely supported by local businesses and donors.
The planning for the youth football program started over a year ago and at the Monday, February 6, school board meeting, the district’s participation in the program was approved and a separate fund was created. Since then, donations towards the youth program are received by the board on a monthly basis. Under this new program, football equipment is provided, so the sport is accessible to more children throughout the community.
This program also eliminates competition between the YMCA football program and the city rec football program as the organizations are working together to get children involved at a young age and keeping them involved.
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