These Division I players are enjoying a little tournament play during the last day of soccer camp hosted by the Western Mountain Youth Soccer Association. The weather held out for all but one day (Wednesday) last week during the session held at Mt. Abram High School. Director Darren Allen said a record 85 kids signed up for the camp which is designed to build basic soccer skills and game strategies for children ages 8 to 14. (Heidi Murphy photo) SALEM - - The annual soccer camp held at Mt. Abram last week boasted a record participation of 85 players ages 8 to 14. Camp Director Darren Allen said this was "by far and above" the most campers enrolled at the coed camp he has run for several summers. "The club has exploded," he said.

The camp is a program of the non-profit Western Mountain Youth Soccer Association, which was formed last year. It is designed to build basic soccer skills and game strategies. There is also emphasis on making new friends, building bonds between the area schools and practicing good sportsmanship.

Division I included 8-11 year olds and Division II consisted of 12-14 year olds. There were enough players for each division to have four teams.

Daily activities included warm-ups, stretching, drills, game situations and team games. Allen was assisted by Carrie Abbot, Mt. Abram women's coach Monica Hedstrom, Mt. Abram boys' coach Mark Lopez, and Mt. Abram athletic trainer Jeremy Starbird. He also brought on board a slew of Mt. Abram post-grad players as well as current Varsity and JV players to help coach the kids.

On Friday, after a week of drills and games, the campers showed off their new skills in round robin format games. There was a closing ceremony following the games where Camper of the Week and Skills recognitions were made.

Campers of the Week included a boy and a girl from each division. Division I campers of the week were Lui Rothschild and Summer Ross. Division II Campers of the Week were Ryan Elliot and Emma Houston.

Recognition for Skills in Division I went out to Macahon Henderson, Abby Brackley, Dawson Bate and Mariah Beedy. Division II Skills recognition went to Amos Withee, Chris Daly, Trevor Brackley and Collin McCarthy Edwards.

"My overall goal is for the kids to take something they have learned and use it on the field," said Allen. At the end of the week, Allen had succeeded.

The club also has fall and winter soccer programs. For more information on the Western Mountain Youth Soccer Association and its programs, go to: www.wmyouthsoccer. com.