Athletes in Action Youth Initiatives is running sports camps in Southeast Manitoba this summer.

In Steinbach, they have both a volleyball camp and a soccer camp happening at the same time.    

Their soccer camp is for ages seven-12 and their volleyball camp is for ages 12-16.

The camp is from July 29 to August 2, Monday to Friday from 9am-3pm at Clearspring Middle School.    

Manitoba Director for Athletes in Action Youth Initiatives, Stephen Klassen, says most of their coaches are university athletes.   

“So from a skill perspective, they're able to coach at the highest of levels, but simultaneously, they love kids and they love coaching. And so they're so happy to engage with a six-year-old who's never touched a volleyball for the first time, and just go through the fundamentals and learn how to play.”   

Klassen says they have camps running in almost every community throughout Southern Manitoba.   

“We want people to know that there is opportunity. We think that sport is so important for kids to be a part of, there are so many life lessons that overlap, so the idea that all kids should have a chance to play is something that we fervently believe in.”   

One special part of their camps is that each day they take a pause and allow coaches the opportunity to share a personal story of theirs with the kids.   

“Usually it's a story of some epic fail or tragedy or hard thing that they've had to endure, and then now having the benefit of retrospect, being able to kind of speak into the life lessons that come with that.”   

After the coach finishes their story, the camp breaks into small groups to discuss.   

Klassen says amazing things often come from these conversations.   

"Everyone goes through something hard, but nobody wants to talk about the hard thing. And them sharing their own story seems to provide this safe place for kids to be able to say things that are on their heart, but they don't openly talk about in normal circles, and so it's a real opportunity for personal growth.”   

He adds that there is no greater place to make friends and break down barriers than in sports.   

“I played against some adversaries who I absolutely despised in my life, and then we ended up on the same club team together and we ended up becoming the best of friends within five minutes.”   

Klassen notes Athletes in Action is a global Christian nonprofit operating under the umbrella of Power to Change Ministries.   

He says Athletes in Action does much more than run sports camps.   

“Steinbach's own Albert Martins runs a running ministry, he orchestrates the Polar Bear Marathon up in Churchill every year. And Lorne Korol, he does the chaplaincy for the professional sports teams in Winnipeg.”   

To sign your kid up for camp, visit athletesinaction.ca and click the header at the top of the page labeled Camps & Clubs.   

If you have any difficulties signing up, you can call Stephen at 204-474-1718.   

 

With files from Michelle Sawatzky