Cheboygan youth football camp provides family atmosphere, builds team culture
CHEBOYGAN – Kaleb Goodrich only attended Cheboygan's youth football camp once when he was a youngster.
If he could do it all over again, he would’ve went every year.
“The one year I did it, my brother (Zavin Goodrich) was in high school, and he was teaching me just like it was basketball, and that just made it so much more fun,” recalled Goodrich, now a senior. "This is where the fun in football is, right here. (High school has) gone by so fast, it’s crazy that I’m a senior now. All my friends, we’ve always talked about how fast it goes, and these kids don’t understand that yet and how fast it’ll go for them.”
On Monday evening – Day 1 of the annual camp put on by the Cheboygan program for grades 3-6 – Goodrich was one of those Chiefs who took in the fun and enjoyed working with kids who might have hopes of one day becoming stars on the gridiron.
“I love it,” Goodrich said. “Helping these little kids and teaching them some things and being able to be a role model to them, as I had a role model when I was younger, too, so I love it. I do it for basketball, too. I did this one year and wish I would’ve done it way more years than I did.
“You’re young, but it honestly has an impact.”
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While it was hot outside, that didn’t seem to bother the Cheboygan players, coaches or campers who all worked together during an almost two-hour session.
Like youth camps of the past, fundamentals were a major point of emphasis.
So was building bonds, something Cheboygan junior varsity head coach James Seaman believes is extremely important for future players in the program.
“That’s what coaching is about,” said Seaman. “It takes a village to raise a kid. The more influences you have, the more balanced they are, and to hear the same things from the same people – that’s how we build a football program. The same way. We want those young kids hearing the same kind of language, seeing the same behaviors, being able to do the same drills as the big boys, and that inspires them and therefore we build a culture and a family.”
When Seaman works with campers, there’s something else he likes to focus on.
“The mental aspect of the game is something that falls short, and with these young guys it’s very easy – they take a hit, or just a third grader going up against a fourth grader – and there's a big mental block there, so we’re trying to instill some of that mental toughness and just understand that once we strap up, it’s OK to be strong and be physical with somebody because they’re strapped up, too,” Seaman said. “That’s a mentality that we need to carry through life, not just on the football field.”
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During the opening day, campers went through several drills – including one that featured water balloons – and eventually finished with flag football action on Western Avenue Field.
Many Cheboygan players volunteered, including junior Sean Postula, who was more than happy to help campers out during the hot evening.
“It’s great out here,” said Postula. “Everybody, all the coaches and the junior (varsity) coaches and the varsity coaches, the team, everybody helping out. I enjoy helping kids out. It’s just a good time to help them enjoy the game that I love.”
When asked what he enjoys most about the camp, it was an easy answer for Seaman.
“Just seeing all the kids, getting to know the parents,” Seaman said. “As a high school coach, it’s important to know those kids. When you see them on the football field and you know their name, it makes them feel like they’re part of it, and it’s like, ‘Man, coach remembered my name.’ That’s big. That’s probably what I like the most about it, building a family and the culture.”
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan youth football camp provides family atmosphere, builds team culture
