The Erie Commodores welcomed dozens of new Americans from the Boys & Girls Club of Erie to Veterans Memorial Stadium for a youth soccer camp aimed at teaching the game’s fundamentals while building confidence and community.
Commodores players and coaches led the children through a three-hour session featuring soccer drills, skill-building exercises and games designed to reinforce the techniques they learned throughout the day.
“Obviously its a big deal you know,” said Charlie Petersen, Erie Commodores defender and McDowell graduate. “It’s always good to get the kids up and moving and running around. It’s always good to pass what I know with my family being soccer coaches on to the next and I’m proud to do it.”
For Petersen, the camp was about more than soccer. He said the event gave the children an opportunity to stay active, make new friends and enjoy a positive experience in the community.
“It’s just something to get them thinking of other things,” said Petersen. Getting them up on their feet gets them to interact with other kids as well. It’s a way to keep them going.”
The Commodores will return to Veterans Stadium Tuesday for another day of camp with the kids from the boys and girls club from 9 a.m. to noon.