Setting up a free youth football camp for children in your town is an excellent way to expose new players to your program. In my town, there are three teams competing for players. Every year we will host a free youth football camp in June. This camp is free for all children in our town. Having a free football camp really gives us a leg up on the competition.

Our free camp is a two-day camp. The first day, we do offense. We set up drill stations for each position: quarterback (throwing station), receiver (catching), running back and offensive linemen. On Day 2, we will do defensive drills. We will have a defensive back, linebacker and defensive line stations. We also work on special teams. We will have a field goal, punting and kicking station as well. This camp is non-contact. The children should wear cleats, shorts and t-shirt.  

Benefits

• Expose new players to your program.
• Players and parents that are on the fence can come and see how they like it. A well-executed, fun and organized camp will get those kids on fence to sign up.
• Everyone loves FREE!
• Parents can meet the coaches.
• Coaches can evaluate their players before the season. 
• Parents can meet board members.
• Gets the children in the football state of mind.
• Coaches can give out playbooks.
• Give free shirts to all the children who attend the camp. They will be walking billboards and will be excited about the program.
• Have a registration table to get sign ups.

Operation tips

• Be organized and well planned.
• Have assistant coaches run each station.
• Break the kids up by age. Keep the children with the age group they are playing with.
• Each station should be timed. After the set time is reached, rotate the kids clockwise to the next station.
• The kids do each station, regardless of the position they play or want to play.
• If there is a large group of kids set up the drill twice or set up two different drills and have the players switch.
• Have the head coach follow their age group. This will allow them to manage and evaluate their players.
• Coaches need to enthusiastic. Make sure the coaches look like they are happy to be there.
• Make sure you have a certified athletic trainer or EMS present.
• Make sure the players have adequate water breaks. It is critical to have water coolers/bottles available. 
• You can do something fun at the end of the camp. Rely races and a touch or flag football game is always fun.

SEE ALSO: USA Football’s FUNdamentals program introduces kids to basic football skills in a fun and energetic environment