Capping off DC SCORES summer camp with Inter Milan and Manchester United

Manchester United coaches address DC SCORES alumni.

Written by Kyndall Brown
Communications Intern

The summer has practically flown by.

Tomorrow is the last day of DC SCORES summer camp, and my internship is also approaching its end. My summer with SCORES has been filled with experiences, but one of the most memorable took place on Tuesday.

With two well-respected soccer teams in town for a friendly at FedEx Field, who knew that I would get the opportunity for encounters with both in one day!

At Bruce Monroe, I shared the same excitement as campers when I got the chance to meet professional soccer player Javier Zanetti from Inter Milan. Zanetti was great with the kids, guiding them through a series of fun drills and then answering questions about being a pro.

“I would ask him how long he would practice, because if I wanted to be a soccer player I need to know how I need to train,” camper Eryck E. said.

The students were thrilled about being up close and personal with a professional soccer player and getting to ask him any question. Each camper also got their own autograph, and some were lucky enough to get him to sign their cleats, soccer balls, and even cellphones.

Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti with Bruce Monroe campers. 

However, the excitement Tuesday afternoon was only building.

After a short commute to Tubman Elementary School, I had the opportunity to join SCORES alumni in a clinic led by coaches from Manchester United -- yes, that team! Needless to say, being instructed by professional coaches is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“They had a lot of energy which rubbed off on us and it was really fun,” Jennifer P. said.

The positive attitudes from the visiting coaches made the clinic a unique experience for both them and the alumni. And I was lucky enough to join them and participate in drills that professional players go through on a regular bases.

“It was exciting because they were teaching us stuff that they also teach professional players,” Jose Q said. "It almost felt like we were able to step inside the shoes of a professional soccer player."

These types of opportunities do not knock twice. I definitely had to use the clinic to not just enjoy my time playing on the field but to also embrace the chance to learn from the coaches.

“I felt like this is like a one-time thing and you have to put everything out on the field,” Ariana R. said.

The coaches didn’t only give us soccer knowledge; they also dished us advice that we can use in our everyday lives. They encouraged everyone to stay focused, driven, and to not be lured by temptation. The advice from established professionals was greatly appreciated and made the experience even more worthwhile.

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SCORES summer is just about over, but you can relive all the excitement. View photos on Instagram at @dc_scores, and check out our large summer camp album on Flickr HERE.

RELATED POSTS
Summer camp profiles: Skill-building on the soccer field replaces inactivity
First week of DC SCORES summer camp brings youth from across the city together

Summer camp profiles: Skill-building on the soccer field replaces inactivity

Written by Kyndall Brown
Communications Intern

Estefany F. is in her room packing her cleats, shin guards, and picking out her t-shirt and shorts for camp today at Marie Reed. She has been attending DC SCORES Camp at Marie Reed for the past two summers and could not envision an exciting summer without it.

“Being home, watching TV,” is what Estefany says she would be doing with her summer if she were not attending camp. She would much rather be at camp where she can be, “trying to get better at soccer, especially scoring and dribbling.”

“It’s important for me because that’s something I like to do, and that’s something that brings my family together too,” Estefany says.

Estefany sees SCORES camp as an opportunity to develop her skills for a sport that has become a valued part of her life. Soccer is not only important to her because she loves the sport, but also because of the impact it has on her family.

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Alma H. practices juggling at Tubman soccer camp. 

Alma H. is at her elementary school Truesdell waiting for the bus to arrive and bring her to the SCORES camp at Tubman. Even though the bus does not arrive, Alma and her friend do not decide to go home for the remainder of their day. Instead they both walk to camp.

Even when Alma did not have a ride to camp, she still found her way there. Soccer has become a big part of her life, and coming to camp is teaching her so much more about a sport that she truly loves.

“From camp I’ve learned how to shoot, I know how to control with my left now, and I know how to shoot with my left,” Alma says.

These are both skills she did not have before camp.

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Without SCORES camps, participants like Alma and Estefany would still be able to find time to play soccer because they both have a genuine love for the game. However, SCORES camps gives them a chance to not only play the sport that they love but also develop team building skills with their SCORES coaches and peers. At the Marie Reed Camp, Estefany gets to play her favorite sport and is able to gain more exposure to various art activities as well.

There are still two more weeks remaining of DC SCORES summer camps, both at the Marie Reed Soccer & Arts Camp and the soccer camp at Bruce Monroe. Stay updated on what we have planned for our last couple weeks of camp by following us on Twitter @DCSCORES, on Instagram at @dc_scores, and by viewing our summer camp photo album on Flickr HERE.

Volunteers spotlight: Making a difference at DC SCORES summer camp

Oliver Steinglass (lef) and Ben Alers.

Each month, DC SCORES highlights a volunteer that has made a significant impact on the program. It would be impossible to give 1,500 students throughout the District the quality programming they receive without the help of our volunteers. To learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.DCSCORES.org. This month we highlight three volunteers -- Ben Alers and Oliver Steinglass are high school students; Elayna Cross volunteered with her Mitzvah Corp Group -- who have made a big difference for us during summer camp.

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DCS: Where are you from and where do you work?

Ben: I was born in DC, but when I was eight I moved to Costa Rica. I moved back a couple of years ago and I am now a rising sophomore at Sidwell Friends School.

Elayna: I am going to be a freshman this fall at James Madison University and I am originally from Summerville, New Jersey. I plan to study special education.

Oliver: I am originally from DC and am going into 11th grade and I attend Washington International School.

DCS: How did you get involved with DC SCORES?

Ben: My brother volunteered as a summer camp counselor last summer and he really enjoyed it and he recommended that I volunteer as well.

Elayna: I am a part of Mitzvah Corps DC through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and as a part of our program we were able to pick from many organizations to volunteer with for the week in an effort to learn about social justice.

Oliver: My mom told me about DC SCORES after reading the Washington Post article.

DCS: What do like most about DC SCORES? 

Elayna Cross (center) with summer campers!

Ben: That it combines working with kids and soccer, and I am passionate about both of those things. It makes it more fun to do community service in an area that I enjoy.

Elayna: This a completely different world from where I grew up, which was a very privileged town. Being in a place where sports and arts programs are a privilege and not something that is guaranteed has provided a whole new perspective for me.

Oliver: I think it is awesome to interact with kids that I wouldn’t normally interact with on a daily basis.

DCS: Describe your experience volunteering for DC SCORES. 

Ben: This has been a really positive experience. The kids are very energetic and the other counselors have been very welcoming.

Elayna: It has been amazing to see how two days can make such a difference, and how the kids already trust me and know me.

Oliver: It has been great having a leadership role at a camp as opposed to being a camper.

DCS: What motivates you to want to volunteer? 

Ben: Working with kids and helping them improve their soccer skills.

Elayna: Seeing the way something as simple as spending one day with youth (can make a difference). Social justice is also a big part of my Judaism and the reason I am here.

Oliver: I wanted to have a different experience because I play soccer all the time, but I have never used it to give back to others.

DCS: What do you like to do with your free time? 

Ben: I like playing soccer and reading. I play travel soccer for Bethesda and I also play for my school team.

Elayna: Volunteering is a large part of my free time. I started a soccer program for kids with special needs in my home, so that takes up a lot of my time. I also like to dance and play soccer.

Oliver: I play travel soccer with Arlington and I play for my school’s varsity team as well.

DCS: Who is your favorite athlete? 

Ben: Joel Campbell, a Costa Rican soccer player. I like him because he is a great player and my brother played with him on the U-17 Costa Rican national team.

Elayna: Misty Copeland, she is a dancer. She started dancing in Boys & Girls Clubs when she was younger and now she dances for a prestigious company in L.A. She has now dedicated her life to giving underprivileged youth the same opportunities she had to excel at dance.

Oliver: Tim Howard is my favorite athlete because he is a good ambassador for soccer in the U.S. because he is one of the few who plays abroad. I also play goalie, so he is an awesome role model.

DCS: Who is your favorite singer or poet? 

Ben: My favorite band is Weezer.

Elayna: Mitch Albom wrote “Tuesdays with Morrie,” and it is about how some people who come into our lives make a lasting impression. I would love to be able to say that I had that same impact on someone, that Morrie did on Mitch Albom.

Oliver: My mom is a poet and she writes children’s poetry, so I have to say that she is my favorite.

DCS: Fun fact? 

Ben: I just completed an Outward Bound trip, where I spent two weeks in the wilderness backpacking through North Carolina.

Elayna: The coolest thing about me is that I was blonde when I was born but now I have naturally dark brown hair.

Oliver: I lived in Hong Kong for three years starting when I was in sixth grade. I speak Chinese and am still taking Chinese classes in high school.

First week of DC SCORES summer camp brings youth from across the city together

Written by Kyndall Brown
Communications Intern

Last week, DC SCORES kicked off 14 combined weeks of summer enrichment with a five-day soccer camp at Kelly Miller Middle School. Despite temperatures in the high 90s, close to 100 youth from across Washington, DC, took part in soccer drills and games each day.

Participating in a week-long soccer camp gives participants a great opportunity to focus on core skills like passing, dribbling and shooting. The camp also allows for campers to receive one-on-one attention that they may not get the chance to receive throughout the school year.

Along with working on skills, campers also get to develop friendships outside of their comfort zones. The DC SCORES camps are open to youth all over the city. Campers get to play with other kids they have possibly once played against as well as others they have never been on the field with.

“Camp has been great because we have a huge number of kids from all over the city, kids from far in NW, Columbia Heights, NE, and SE,” said camp director Libby Watkins. “I can tell the kids are making friends.”

Emily C. works on her soccer skills at Kelly Miller camp.

Emily C. and Ariana R. came to Kelly Miller representing Chavez Prep and are both in the seventh grade. They, along with 50-plus other kids, were shuttled to Kelly Miller from Lincoln Middle School in Columbia Heights. At Kelly Miller, campers got the opportunity to develop their skills with new and different players. Emily said she only knew one of the 12 girls in her age group prior to camp.

Emily and Ariana were both very excited about being at soccer camp and expressed their enthusiasm about attending other DC SCORES camps as the summer continues. Emily specifically talked about how her summer playing soccer was going to make her a better player for the fall season.

This week, two more DC SCORES camps have begun – Soccer & Arts Camp at Marie Reed Elementary School and soccer camp at Bruce Monroe Elementary School. Next week, the 10-day Tubman Elementary School soccer camp kicks off. Stay connected to an action-packed month of summer enrichment for DC youth by following us on Twitter @DCSCORES, on Instagram at @dc_scores, and by viewing our summer camp photo album on Flickr HERE.

Cresa Washington DC's 'Camp Champs' lead summer camp fundraising campaign

Written by Daniel Meloy
Senior Director of Development & Communications

Summer.

It’s a time so many kids look forward to. A time to play, to be with friends, to just have fun!

But for many kids who don’t have access to safe, structured activities, summer can mean a time to be stuck on the couch, with the only activity being video games or watching TV.

That’s why DC SCORES offers free summer camps to keep kids active and learning in a safe and structured environment. Our soccer and arts camps engage over 250 kids and help combat summer learning loss as well as fitness loss. We keep kids off the couch!

And to keep our summer camps free to all who participate, each spring we conduct our Couch to Camp Campaign. The annual fundraising campaign runs for several weeks and raises thousands of dollars needed for camp counselors, equipment, supplies, healthy snacks, and buses - all the things that create a fun summer experience.

This year, we wanted to give our Couch to Camp Campaign an extra boost. We asked ourselves, “How do we give the campaign greater exposure and raise more money?”

We didn’t have to look very far for our answer. Our good friends at Cresa Washington DC quickly signed on as the presenting sponsor of the campaign.

Cresa Washington DC has supported DC SCORES in a variety of ways, so it was no surprise that its support for the Couch to Camp Campaign was more than simply writing a check.

With support from the Cresa Washington DC partners and a team of dedicated employees, the company made a generous financial commitment. But then Cresa went one step further, with 10 employees serving as “Camp Champs.” Each Camp Champ set up a personal online fundraising page and has been asking friends, family and colleagues to make donations.

As we head into the final two days of the Couch to Camp Campaign and are close to reaching our fundraising goal, the Camp Champs are hard at work. We are grateful for their commitment to DC SCORES and to the kids we serve. We can’t wait for Cresa Washington DC day at camp this summer, when Cresa employees will attend camp, meet and interact with the kids, and experience first-hand exactly what they are helping to make possible.

Thank you, Cresa Washington DC, for your generosity and dedication to DC SCORES and the kids we serve!

To contribute to this year’s Couch to Camp Campaign, please go HERE.

DC SCORES Couch to Camp Campaign gives kids summer camp memories

Written by Jake Lloyd
Communications Manager

What do you remember about summer camp?

My long-term memory isn't great, but I'll never forget making some of my best friends at camp; exercising each day through every game you can imagine; and dreading the ever-approaching last day each year.

Summer camp was a part of my life I took for granted growing up -- just like my two-parent household, sports teams year round, and much more.

I can't imagine a childhood minus all those summer memories.

Unfortunately, that is reality for hundreds of children in Washington, DC. With their families lacking the resources to send them to traditional camps, kids are left at home during the District's hottest months -- often sitting on the couch not doing much of anything.

Enter DC SCORES' Couch to Camp Campaign.

Each summer, DC SCORES strives to provide enriching, supportive and, most importantly, FUN camps for more than 200 DC youth. No child is excluded. The camps are FREE.

But they only happen with your support. Can you help us reach our goal of raising $7,000 through our Couch to Camp Campaign?

Combined with the support of our generous supporter Cresa Washington DC, YOU can ensure that students like Cindy (watch the embedded video) won't suffer from learning loss and be left idle during the most dangerous time of the year for weight gain.




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Last year, we asked several summer camp participants at our six-week Soccer & Arts camp at Marie Reed Elementary School what they would be doing if not attending DC SCORES camp every day? Here's a sampling of their answers:

“I’d be bored at home," said Chantelle.

“Probably nothing," added Kaiyah.

“Sleeping," said Guadalupe.

And, “Thinking about DC SCORES," said Warren.

Any gift during our Couch to Camp Campaign will keep Chantelle from being bored, Guadalupe from sleeping during the day, and Warren from thinking about his favorite after-school program instead of being a part of it during the summer.

Here's how your gift (at different levels) can make a difference:

• $25 will provide a soccer ball and healthy snacks for a camper.
• $50 will provide a full uniform (socks, shinguard, shorts, T-shirt), a soccer ball, and healthy snacks for one camper.
• $100 will provide a full week of camp for one camper including all of the above.

Regardless of the level you give at, you are assisting in getting one more child vulnerable to the dangers of summer inactivity closer to an action-packed experience of soccer drills, games, arts activities, field trips, and building relationships.

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When I think back on what I remember most about DC SCORES' recent summer camps, one day stands out.

Two years ago, DC received quite the heat wave in late July with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees every day. It was the perfect excuse for kids to stay home and out of the sun. 

One scorching afternoon, I worked up my courage and left our air-conditioned office to visit soccer camp at Tubman Elementary School. I fully expected to arrive to a small group of tired, complaining kids. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

Instead, there were 75 kids enthusiastically running through soccer drills and scrimmaging. While camper Emily was taking a brief break and dumping water on her head, I asked her if she had considered staying home.

“No,” Emily answered emphatically. “I never have second thoughts when it comes to summer camp.”

And that was that.

It will be hot this summer. But with your support, children like Emily will look forward to each day of DC SCORES summer camp, and benefit tremendously.