image0 (8)

2016, 2017 & 2018 YDP Summer Camp Series

Footskills and Fun without the Blazing Sun!

Calling all youth soccer players… Get ready for some fun, without the blazing sun! The Spokane Sounders are excited to introduce the Youth Development Program (YDP) Summer Camps for 2023! 

Have you ever wanted to give soccer a try but are not sure where to start? Are you already a soccer player that wants to improve your soccer skills and knowledge of the game? Are you looking to keep yourself fit and healthy over the summer? 

From the creator and Director of the YDP Marc Mason (former Everton FC Academy Coach), comes the summer camps designed to grow your love for the beautiful game, to help you improve your technical soccer skills and to learn all parts of the game and positions; all while having a great time with your friends.

Coached by Marc Mason, the YDP Summer Camps will be held at the Spokane Indoor Soccer Center and will cater to players aged 6, 7 and 8.

The camps will provide meaningful and impactful sessions specific to each age group; ensuring that content, differentiation and skill-development is most effective for each week of camp.

The camps will allow for a maximum of 25 players per age group, ensuring contact-time, spacing and individual instruction with Marc to be at its best. 

What will we learn in the YDP Summer Camps?

  • Players will learn and improve their technical ability within the game, including: dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting and goalkeeping.
  • Players will learn the principles of the game; understanding attack versus defense, creating and denying space, positional awareness and best decision-making in situations. 
  • Players will learn how to find success within the game as both an individual and as part of a team.
  • Players will develop their skills in a variety of settings and opportunities, such as: small-sided games, technical practice, team-tasks and individual practice.

There will be two sessions this summer for each age group:
U6 - Birth year 2018
U7 - Birth year 2017
U8 - Birth year 2016

U6 (2018) YDP Summer Camp - Session 1
June 21-23 (3 days), 4:00-5:00
Fee: $50
U6 (2018) YDP Summer Camp - Session 2
July 31-August 2, 4:00-5:00
Fee: $50

U7 (2017) YDP Summer Camp - Session 1
June 26-29 (4 days), 4:00-5:00
Fee: $75
U7 (2017) YDP Summer Camp - Session 2
August 7-10 (4 days), 4:00-5:00
Fee: $75

U8 (2016) YDP Summer Camp - Session 1
July 10-13 (4 days), 4:00-5:00
Fee: $75
U8 (2016) YDP Summer Camp - Session 2
August 14-17 (4 days), 4:00-5:00
Fee: $75

Helpful Information for YDP Summer Camps:

All players taking part will receive a commemorative Sounders YDP Summer Camp shirt!

What should I bring to the summer camps?: You should bring suitable soccer wear for each session i.e. shorts, t-shirt and shoes that are appropriate for artificial turf (no studded cleats). Also, make sure to bring a water bottle so you can keep hydrated throughout the session!

Is the soccer camp appropriate for my new or experienced player?: The YDP soccer camp is built for players of all abilities within their age groups. Differentiation of instruction is implemented to ensure that all players can develop and find success in the game, no matter their experience.

My player is 6 or 7 but I think they need to be challenged, what should I do? I feel it is important to always push players to their potential and increase the challenge around them when appropriate. If you feel your player is at a higher ability level than peers at their age, it might be suitable to add them to the age group above for the camp.

Am I able to stay and watch the sessions?: Yes! I love it when parents get to see their players having fun and developing their skills. There are suitable viewing areas at the indoor center where you can sit and watch. Please just remember that your player is there to learn from coaching experience and knowledge. Help these players by allowing them to listen, learn and focus rather than give input that could take valuable decision-making opportunities away from them.

What should I do if I can’t make a session?: As the camps are restricted to 25 players, please only register for the dates you know you can make. If you need to miss a session for any reason then this is absolutely fine, though the camp space will have been reserved for you and unavailable for anyone else, so refunds for a day will not be available.

Is there more to the YDP I should know about?: Yes! The YDP is a year-round, no-cost program for U6-U8 players that reaches multiple areas of Spokane. The YDP teaches players impactful technical and tactical skills to improve their overall game. The program removes the cost barriers associated with the game without sacrificing the quality of instruction. It provides appropriate and meaningful experiences for players in sessions and in league-games, and aims to improve the quality of overall soccer instruction by growing the community through mentorship, coaching licenses and coaching opportunities.

The YDP Summer Camp is the only cost-associated part of the program; supporting our qualified coaches, player/coach uniform, session equipment and field rentals.

The YDP is open for player registration in the Fall, Winter and Spring. For more information about the program or if you and your player would like to be a part of the YDP, register your interest today!

Join Spokane Sounders as a Coach

We are always looking for individuals who want to be more involved with the game. Click for more INFO [+]