Summer camp aims to provide safe haven, teach good citizenship

With the help of community volunteers from English and physical education teachers to Turlock Youth Soccer players, Turlock's Westside Ministries will teach hundreds of kids the basics of soccer this summer.

The annual summer sports camp, provided free for students of Turlock's Westside — Cunningham, Osborn and Wakefield school districts — will focus solely on soccer this year, says Westside Ministries Youth Director Lydio Banana. Although in years past the camp featured baseball, football and basketball, this year’s events will exclusively teach soccer techniques because of the community’s overwhelming interest.

Along with building skills and fitness, Banana says the camp also provides a safe place for kids to be during the summer. Each sports camp volunteer must be trained in order to ensure safety, and I.D. will be checked when food is picked up at the end of the day. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

"Along with teaching soccer and sportsmanship we also teach good nutrition and health,” said Banana.

The camp will last for three weeks, June 6 to July 3. The first week and a half will focus on building soccer skills and learning rules, while the last week will feature tournaments where different prizes and incentives will be awarded.

Banana hopes that the skills learned at the summer soccer camp will be used in school and at home.

“Kids will learn good sportsmanship and other characteristics they can use in everyday life, such as loyalty, courage and good citizenship,” he said.

In addition, children will be partnered with mentors and coaches who display these same characteristics that the camp hopes to teach.

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. June 6 – July 3 at Wakefield Elementary School, Turlock
Meals (lunch and dinner) are provided.
Prizes, such as medals, will be awarded.
TO REGISTER: Contact Westside Ministries, located at 952 Columbia Ave. in Turlock
(209) 667-8593
If you wish to donate, or volunteer, please contact Westside Ministries.
*Parents and community members are welcome to volunteer but must be trained.

Power Line Hip Hop Workshop
June 2 – June 5
Located at Westside Ministries
$40 workshop fee, $10 for Westside school district students
To register, call (209) 667-9020