Thunder unveils enhanced summer camp schedule

Published on February 3, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Friday, February 3, 2006) - The Minnesota Thunder announced today its new and enhanced Thunder summer soccer camp schedule that is promised to be bigger and better than ever. The Thunder is offering its popular summer camp program, attended by more that 2,000 kids last year, in 31 metro-area locations for boys and girls ages 5-18. This includes a NEW All-Girls camp for players ages 9-18 in Bloomington from July 10-14 that will be coached by a predominately female coaching staff including Brazilian National Team player, Katia.

Thunder summer soccer camps are directed by Thunder camp director Zafer Kilickan and his new colleagues, former US National Team player and Olympian, Manny Lagos; Footskills founder and new Thunder camp technical director, Mark Abboud; Minnesota Lightning head coach, Danny Storlien; and of course, the head coach of the Minnesota Thunder, Amos Magee.

Camps, which are official camps of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, begin in April and run throughout the summer months. For a complete 2006 camp schedule and to securely register online NOW, visit www.mnthunder.com

Thunder camps are the most popular day camps in Minnesota and have been enhanced on many levels in 2006. All campers receive an Adidas soccer ball, a player evaluation, and a complimentary ticket to camper reunion night sponsored by SUBWAY. New elements this camp season include:

- An All-Girls camp in Bloomington July 10-14, featuring Katia of the Brazilian National Team

- A FULL Camp kit for day campers which includes 2 t-shirts, 1 short, 2 socks, and a sling backpack

- A High School Prep Camp in early august run by the Thunder's strength and conditioning coach, Aaron Leventhal, that will get boys and girls ages 14-18 ready for the high school season

- Home grown Minnesota coaches with top-level playing and coaching experience including Manny Lagos, Mark Abboud, John Swallen, Aaron Leventhal, Caroline Smith, Nate Winkel, Danny Storlien and many others

- Chance to win a $1,000 soccer scholarship courtesy of Soccer USA that can be used to further a camper's development

Anybody who registers for a Thunder camp by March 15 will receive a FREE mini-soccer ball. The Thunder also offers a multiple family member discount of $10 that is awarded when two or more campers from the same family register. New in 2006 is the MYSA volunteer appreciation discount in which anybody that volunteers for MYSA or an affiliated club or team can take $10 off their child's registration.

The Thunder offers five different camps, including Day, Senior and Youth Residential, a NEW All-Girls Camp, NEW GameBreakers clinics and a NEW High School Prep Camp.

Day camps are divided into separate programs designed specifically for boys and girls ages 5-14 by dividing players by age, gender, and ability. The Rugrats program is designed for players ages 5-7, Recreational Player program for ages 8-12, Junior Ball Masters program for U9 and U10 competitive players, the Ball Masters program for U11 and U12 competitive players and the Advanced Ball Masters program for U13 and U14 competitive players. A Goalkeeper training program is available at specific sites for U11-U14 players.

Camps are designed to offer individuals the best possible learning environment. Having a 13:1 camper to coach ratio, the Thunder camps allow for extended one on one contact. The wide variety of camps offers something for every youth player. Campers can choose to attend half day camp (9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Mon-Fri) or full day camp (9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Mon-Thu / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Fri).

SUBWAY has been named the Official Food Partner of all Minnesota Thunder Day Camps. On Thursdays, campers can join in on a SUBWAY sandwich party for lunch and will receive a sandwich and a drink.

Wisconsin Dells will be sponsoring Wacky Water Thursdays once again at all summer camps. On Wacky Water Thursday, kids are encouraged to bring their water toys to camp to squirt their favorite camp coaches. All campers will receive a Wisconsin Dells Kids Card that is good for one child admission (age 12 and under) for every paid adult to several Wisconsin Dells attractions.

Campers complete their summer soccer experience by taking part in the Camp Reunion Night, presented by SUBWAY. All Thunder campers will receive a complimentary ticket to the Thunder's home game on Sunday August 20, against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Campers will join the Thunder players for a commemorative camp reunion photo prior to the game and will be recognized at halftime as a Thunder camper in front of family and friends.

Anybody that attends a summer camp will be entered to win a $1,000 soccer scholarship courtesy of Soccer USA that can be used to further the development of a young soccer player. The drawing for the winner will take place at Camp Reunion Night and the camper must be present to win.

Cost of the camps will be as follows:

Day Camps
-Rugrats (ages 5-7) - Half Day, $130 / Full Day, $205
-Recreational Player (ages 8-12) - Half Day, $135 / Full Day, $210
-Junior Ball Masters (U9 and U10 Competitive players) - Half Day, $140 / Full Day, $215
-Ball Masters (U11 and U12 Competitive players) - Half Day, $145 / Full Day, $220
-Advanced Ball Masters (U13 and U14 Competitive players) - Half Day, $150 / Full Day, $225
-Goal keeper Positional (U11 to U14 Competitive players) - Half Day, $150 / Full Day, $225

Specialty Camps
GameBreakers Clinics, $110
All-Girls Camp, $140
High School Prep Camp, $150

Residential Camps
Youth & Goalkeeper Residential $295
Senior & Goalkeeper Residential $415

The Thunder camps, in existence since 1995, are official camps of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. For more information on Thunder camps contact Trina Kramer, Camp and Team Administrator at 651-917-2828, or visit www.mnthunder.com


2006 THUNDER CAMP SCHEDULE

APRIL
April 10-13, (5-7 p.m.) *GameBreakers Clinic (Woodbury)

JUNE
June 5-9, Buffalo (Bentfield Mills); *Hastings (Hastings High School)
June 12-16, Mahtomedi (Mahtomedi High School); Mendota Heights (Henry Sibley High School); *Plymouth (Elm Creek Play Fields); *Woodbury (Bielenberg)
June 18-22, *Senior Residential Camp (Northfield-St. Olaf College)
June 19-23, Bloomington (Kelly Fields); *Eagan (George Ohmann); Hudson (Hudson Soccer Complex); Mound (Mound West); *White Bear Lake (North Campus)
June 22-25, *Youth Residential Camp (Northfield, St. Olaf College)
June 26-29, (1-3 p.m.) *GameBreakers Clinic (St. Paul, TBD)
June 26-30, Apple Valley (Johnny Cake); *Blaine (Blaine Soccer Complex); *Lakeville (North Park); *Shoreview (Bobby Thiesen); Stillwater (Lucy Winton)

JULY
July 10-14, *ALL-GIRLS CAMP (Kelly Fields)
July 10-14, Brooklyn Center (Zane Soccer Complex); *Chaska (Chaska Middle School); St. Paul (Talmud Torah School)
July 17-20, (4-6 p.m.) *GameBreakers Clinic (Richfield, Academy of Holy Angels)
July 17-21, Maple Grove (Elm Creek Elementary School); Minnetonka (Lone Lake); Monticello (Monticello High School); *St. Paul (Concordia College)
July 24-28, *Minneapolis (Pearl Park); Burnsville (North River Hills); Coon Rapids (Coon Rapids Soccer Complex); *Woodbury (Bielenberg)
July 31-Aug 4, *Eden Prairie (Central Middle School); Prior Lake (Ryan Park); St. Louis Park (Louisiana Oak)

AUGUST
Aug 7-11, *Eagan (George Ohmann); Champlin (Clyde Andrews Park); *Minneapolis (Bryn Mawr Park); *White Bear Lake (North Campus)
August 7-11, High School Prep Camp (Hamline University)
Aug 12-13, Select Camp (Minneapolis, TBD)
Aug 21-25, St. Louis Park (Sabes JCC)

* Location with Goalkeeper programs

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USL First Division Stories from February 3, 2006


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