Roger Lee/Journal Scene

From left, campers C.J. Gartner and Isaiah Hammond attack blocking dummies. Also pictured is camp staff member Derick Grimes Jr.

Roger Lee/Journal Scene

Sertoma campers learn about blocking and tackling stances.

Roger Lee/Journal Scene

Camp instructor Chris Stenger (l) demonstrates blocking techniques.

The Summerville Sertoma Club has beefed up its summer football training program.

The non-profit organization has offered youth football camps for the past four years, but has added specialty camps this summer.

The club is offering weekly skill training through its new FAST Program designed for boys and girls age 9-18 who want to improve their running skills.

“For this program, we don’t want them so young that they can’t focus because it’s pretty aggressive training,” camp instructor Derick Grimes Sr. said.

“A kid needs to be there because they want to improve, not because a parent wants them there.”

The program focuses on core development, discipline, strength training and agility training. Sessions are held on Sundays from 1:30-3 p.m. Fees are based on a block schedule.

Later this summer, the club will offer a quarterback camp. Specifics for the camp haven’t been ironed out, but Sertoma Bantam League Commissioner Chris Stenger says full details concerning the camp will be posted on the club’s website once they are final.

“It will be strictly for quarterbacks,” Stenger said. “We will work with them on mechanics and various skills. Most likely, we will bring in some former high school QBs who have moved on to the college level to help us with instruction.”

In July, the Southeast Regional Coordinator for USA football will address Sertoma coaches during the annual summer coaching clinic.

The club’s first youth football camp of the summer was held this week and there are two more camps scheduled.

One will be held July 20-23 at the Gahagan Sports Complex and the second will be held July 27-29 in Ridgeville. The registration fee is $55 per camper with an additional $5 charge for those not registering at least 15 days prior to the camp date.

“It’s pure fundamentals,” Stenger said. “We touch on every discipline, covering things like blocking, tackling, running back skills, receiver skills and quarterback skills. Every kid goes through all the drills whether they have played as a quarterback or a lineman. It’s a good experience for them because it gives them an appreciation for what other players do.”

Campers run obstacle courses and compete in blocking, passing and throwing competitions.

Camp instructors even get parents involved on the final day of camp with a parent-child relay event. Prizes are distributed daily and each kid gets a camp T-shirt.

Early registration for the club’s fall football league is open to campers only on the final day of camp.

Each summer more than 250 kids participate in the camps.

Last fall, the Sertoma Football League was comprised of 35 teams, which had 240 coaches. Stenger says league officials hope to add teams this fall, particularly in the division created last year for players living in the upper part of the county.

For more information about the football program or its summer camps, call 261-3093 or visit www.summervillesertoma.com.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

Journalscene.com ® is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Journalscene.com ® does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Journalscene.com ®. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by reading our terms and conditions, and then signing up below!

• Santee Cooper announces 2012 refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper announces organizational changes in operation and finance departments
• Santee Cooper employees pitch in on Day of Caring
• Aerial herbicide treatment on lakes under way
• Santee Cooper Board Authorizes Rate Study
• Santee Cooper announces refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper, Florida Municipal Power Agency enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units
• Santee Cooper, Duke Energy Carolinas enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units 2 and 3