Welcome to the 2008 Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp.

Your British Soccer Camp is just one of 1800 that Challenger Sports are running throughout the US and Canada and your child joins over 90,000 other boys and girls who will learn soccer the “Challenger Way” this Summer!  

Each day we will help your child practice and master new individual skills and understand small group and team tactics through our innovative camp curriculum. Campers will also scrimmage each day in our always popular Camp World Cup!  We will also take time out of busy week to help them understand the meaning of: Respect; Responsibility; Integrity; Sportsmanship and Leadership and how these core values relate to soccer, family and school. We have also added a most needed section to our program on nutrition and have created a fun and interactive way to help the campers learn how important it is to eat a balanced diet!

We will be rounding the camp off with our traditional awards ceremony, where we invite family members to come down and see their camper in action and to watch them receive the end of camp certificate from their coach. Your camp coach will let you know when this will take place – and don’t forget to wear your tennis shoes so you can join in the fun!!! 

Welcome to Camp!

Campers who signed up at least 10 days prior to camp should receive their soccer ball and T shirt at check in. If you signed up late, please check with your child’s coach to find out when these will arrive. Please help your child to remember their soccer ball, shin guards and plenty of water each day. Please also apply sun block prior to camp if needed. and take a moment to let our staff know of any medical conditions that your child may have. 

During the camp your child will be put into a World Cup team for our week long camp tournament. We encourage the campers to learn about their country and to dress in their colors for our World Cup finals on Friday. You can get more information on World Cup teams here. If you have any questions about the group that your child is in or about the camp in general, please talk to our staff at the close of camp.
 

Our “Host Family Program” has become one of the most popular parts of the camp. Occasionally however, we may have had to add coaches at the last minute and could be short of families to house the staff. If so, we will announce this on Monday morning, If you would like to volunteer to help out, you will not only make this an extra special week for your kids, but we will also send you a rebate check of $80 towards the cost of your camp fees.


All About Britain!
One of the added features of a British Soccer Camp is the rich cultural element that our international staff adds to the proceedings every day. Whether it is the way in which the children are spell bound by their variety of colorful accents from England, Scotland Ireland and Wales, or the stories and tales about growing up and living in a strange country far away, or even just the passion that our staff have for their beloved “Football” – your child will watch, listen and learn about much more than just dribbling, passing, shooting and heading! 

We will have a British Quiz during one of the waterbreaks. Campers will have the opportunity to answer questions about the people, places, food and traditions of Great Britain.

Here are some British Facts to warm you up for the quiz.

1. What do people in Britain call Soccer? - SOCCER
2. What 3 countries make up Great Britain? - ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES
3. What are “Bangers and Mash”? - SAUSAGES & MASHED POTATOES
4. Who are the “Red Devils”? - MANCHESTER UNITED
5. What are chips called in Britain? - CRISPS
6. Who plays soccer at “Anfield”? - LIVERPOOL
7. Name England’s three biggest cities. - LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER
8. What currency does England use? - POUNDS STERLING
9. Name the largest city in Scotland. - GLASGOW
10. What is a Haggis? - A TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH FOOD
11. What are cookies called in Britain? - BISCUITS
12. Name the largest city in Wales. - CARDIFF
13. Where does the Queen live? - BUCKINGHAM PALACE
14. What is a candy store called in Britain? - A SWEET SHOP
15. Which continent is England in? - EUROPE


Character Counts! 
The NAIA and Challenger Sports have teamed up to promote the Champions of Character initiative to youth soccer players nationwide. This initiative provides an opportunity to educate, promote and incorporate the program's five core values within daily youth activities. These character values help young people - and those associated with their development - make good choices in all aspects of their life and reflect the true spirit of competition.

Throughout our camp we will talk to the campers about these Champions of Character Core Values and how they relate to them, their sport and their team.

Please take time to discuss the following important values with your children:

• Respect
  Show respect to the game, your coach, your family and the officials. Never question the referee and always listen to your coach.
• Responsibility
  Show responsibility to your teammates, family and yourself. You are accountable for your actions on and off the field.
• Integrity
  Show integrity by being honest and following the rules. Alwaysbe on time for practice and games, give 100% effort and never cheat.
• Leadership
  Show servant leadership by putting your team first in all decisions. Your example on and off the field will inspire others.
• Sportsmanship
  Show Sportsmanship by reacting correctly even when others do not. Acknowledge good plays made by others, accept bad calls and thank the opposing team for a good game no matter who wins.

We will introduce the Champions of Character ideas to the youngest campers in laungage they can understand. We will encourage them to tell us how they think they can be a good sport and a good team mate. 

Here are some ideas you can talk to younger children about at home.

• Kids who are good sports are fun to play with and have lots of friends.
• Don't show off. Just play your best. If you're good, people will notice.
• Don’t always keep the ball to yourself – try to pass to teammates.
• Remember, you do not need to score a goal to have a good game.
• Tell your opponents "good game!" whether you've won or you've lost.
• Show up for practices and games on time.
• Listen to your coaches and follow their directions about playing.
• Don't make up excuses or blame a teammate when you lose.
• Be willing to sit out so other team members can get in the game.
• Always play fair and don't cheat.
• Cheer for your teammates - You will help them play better!

Eat the right stuff!
Challenger Sports has teamed up with Mr Goodcents ® Subs & Pastas to help educate children about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. Like the rest of Americans, school-age children are becoming overweight at an alarming rate. Families have moved from city neighborhoods to suburbs, kids stopped walking, riding their bicycles and routine forms of exercise were lost. Diets have changed and portion sizes have increased to ridiculous measures. Mom’s baked potato has been replaced by super sized order of fries cooked in beef fat and soft drink machines now dominate every street corner and school hallway. The amount of time allowed for physical education continues to drop in schools and healthy exercise is being snubbed in favor of video games, computers, and television.

To help educate your child about the need to eat a balance diet, we have created the “Design-a-sandwich” competition which will be in the camper activity booklet handed out at the start of camp. campers will be able to select ingredients from the various food groups and then draw a picture of their sandwich. Take this drawing into any Mr. Goodcents restaurant and receive a FREE CHALLENGER MEAL!!

• Download extra Design-A-Sandwich forms
• Nutritional Information

World Cup Finals Day!
All campers with the exception of those in the First Kicks Program, will conclude the week with the final games in the Camp World Cup Tournament.  Check with your coach to find out exactly when these games will be played – they make for great photo opportunities 

Additional World Cup points will be awarded for any of the following:

• Players wearing appropriate colors
• Face Paint – Hair color
• Flags
• Hats/Caps
• Signs
• Team chants

World Cup teams and their colors

If you have any questions about the camp, our curriculum, our waterbreak actvities, or would like more information on our host family program, please do not hesitate to talk to one of our British Staff Coaches or call 800-878-2167 ext 239.