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Youth Hone Skills at First-Ever Green Bay Packers Youth Football Camp
posted 07/19/01
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| A camp member runs drills at the 2001 Packers Youth Football Camp |
As the sizzling Green Bay summer days roll on, 60 kids, ages 6-14, gather at City Stadium at Green Bay East High School for the first-ever Green Bay Packers Youth Football Camp. The day camp, held this week, provides instruction on all football positions, conditioning work, video analysis and educational speakers. According to Tom Finks, camp manager, "The experience is trying to re-create exactly what the Packers do from a football camp experience."
The camp is split into two groups; those who want to "Learn to Play" and those who are already "Dedicated" players. Many of the 25 Learn to Play participants have no previous football experience. They meet each morning to learn fundamental football skills across the board.
The 35 players participating in the Dedicated portion have at least two years of organized football experience. They meet each afternoon to improve specific football skills.
Camp size is limited to allow for personal one-on-one attention. Players are able to go through more repetitions in practice with emphasis on personal improvement.
Campers are instructed by some of Wisconsin's most recognizable high school coaches: John Kolstad, head football coach at Green Bay East High School and a 1998 Packers "Coach of the Week;" Greg Rabbas, head football coach at De Pere High School and 2000 Packers "Coach of the Year;" and Bill Turnquist, head football coach at West De Pere High School and a 1997 Packers "Coach of the Week." In addition, several assistant coaches and student instructors were on hand to help.
Rabbas' goals for the week are "that the young men have fun and they understand that if they do their best, at anything, they are going to be a winner...it's not about winning and losing, it's about doing their best and having fun at this level and teaching them fundamentals...and if they take those things away, we think that they will be successful."
Green Bay Packers staff members made presentations throughout the week. On Tuesday, Packers Head Trainer Pepper Burruss talked to the players about injury prevention, healing, hydration and the work of trainers. On Thursday, players will hear from Weight Room Assistant Vince Workman about physical fitness, and on Friday, Packers Equipment Manager Gordon 'Red' Batty will give insight as to how footballs are made and the basics of helmet, pads and shoes.
On Wednesday, a special guest and motivational speaker, Lloyd Bachrach, gave his story of how he overcame a congenital bone deficiency, a condition that left his legs unusually small, and became an accomplished gymnast at the high school and college levels. Bachrach, a man who self-proclaims to be "differently-abled," explained some of the challenges he has faced. His message to the players was that "the only limitations that we have as people are the limitations that we place on ourselves."
Kyle Guillette, age 13 of Green Bay, came away from the presentation with the message that it is important "to get your goal done."
News of the camp was spread through Pop Warner football, the Junior Power Pack (kid's fan club) and the Green Bay Parks and Recreational Department. Players traveled from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa to attend this camp, though the majority of participants hailed from the greater Green Bay area. Andy Tallakson, age 12 of Cedar Falls, Iowa, says he came to this camp "because I really like the Packers and I have fun up in Green Bay...I get to meet new people."
Each camper received an official Green Bay Packers Youth Football Camp short and shirt, one free admission to the Packers Experience held during training camp, one complimentary ticket to the Packers "Family Night" scrimmage at Lambeau Field and one complimentary Packers Training Camp Guide.
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