Up North: Duluth East, Vikings teach life lessons through youth football camp
For three hours last week, the turf at Duluth East High School turned into a classroom. Kids aged six through 14, from Grand Marais even down to Cambridge, got the opportunity to gain some knowledge free of charge from coaches representing their home state’s NFL team.
“There are some 6- and 7-year-old youngsters out here who are probably getting their first taste of running a receiving drill, catching a football or throwing a football,” said Blane Tetreault, head coach of Duluth East football. “It’s really neat to see them experience that.”
Whether it’s blocking, catching or passing, campers were taught all the basics. Even if they didn’t know the game before, there were still lots to benefit from.
“You don’t have to be a youth football player,” explained Tetreault. “You don’t have to be a high school football player or even an athlete, but you can still build these healthy habits, and that’s really part of what they’re teaching today. It can be fun, and it doesn’t have to have the end goal of earning a college scholarship. It can really become a lifestyle that starts today.”
Once they got going, the excitement was easy to see.
“I honestly think the kids enjoy getting to try everything,” shared youth development coach Rebecca Main.
“It’s been a great program, and we get a great turnout everywhere we go,” stated Jason Van Houten, another one of the coaches. “It’s exciting because the kids seem to want to learn and be part of the Vikings organization.”
But what they take away goes beyond football and stays with them well after the whistle blows.
“We want them to earn to stand in line, be organized, be a teammate and be on time, all the basics of what sports can bring you, whether that’s athletically or from a discipline standpoint,” proclaimed Van Houten.
To the coaches, making sure every kid has that experience is just as important.
“We have to be able to reach all ranges of athletic ability and all disciplinary areas,” said Van Houten. “We just have to be able to reach everyone and give them a chance all day or through their whole high school career.”
Nine more Vikings of Tomorrow youth camps are scheduled across Minnesota this summer. Click to learn more.
C.J. Ham’s camp will also return to Denfeld this July.
For Related Stories: Duluth East Athletics Football Minnesota Vikings Up North