Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. For the last nine years Boulder Indoor Soccer (BIS) has been hosting summer soccer camps in Nederland. This year the camps looked a little different with masks and hand sanitizer, but BIS still came with their expertise and joy for teaching kids the sport of soccer.

Peter Ambrose BIS Owner and Director of Coaching lived in Eldora and Rollinsville several years ago and has always had a connection with our mountain community. Ambrose says, “I want to provide this community with a quality product in their own beautiful setting.” Many players of all ages drive down to Boulder during the year to participate in BIS’s many programs and leagues. Ambrose says, “We wanted to offer something for the parents where they do not have to drive the canyon for once.”

This summer the week long camps have been held at Chipeta Park. Kids ages 5 – 14 have played for a week in June, July and there will be one more week in August. The next camp is from August 10 -14 and is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Space is limited. Coaches wear a mask at all times and kids 12 and over are also required to wear a mask. BIS is committed to making this a safe and healthy experience. Their programs teach sportsmanship, life lessons and fun through sport. 

Participants practice soccer drills, play games to work on those skills and have scrimmages. The kids are thankful for the many water breaks especially on the hot days. The energy with the kids and coaches was very positive. When I asked fourth grader Sophia Elertson what she thought about the soccer camp she smiled big and said, “I really like it!” Fifth grader Rory McLaughlin said, “Soccer is awesome-sauce!”

Many kids have not had a normal summer of traveling and activities. This soccer camp has been a nice way to see a few other kids, run around for a few hours and have fun. 

(Originally published in the July 23, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)