Drew U. to Offer Plenty of Summer Sports Camps

For those looking for a summer camp for the young athlete in the family, is planning on offering multiple camps over the course of the summer which cover many of the university’s major sports.

For soccer players, Drew will offer camp for both boys and girls. The boys camp, run by head soccer coach Lenny Armuth, will run for boys ages 8 to 14 five days a week. Although no specific dates have been set for the camp, it is expected that boys will work on their soccer skills from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, with a shortened day on Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, girls soccer players can enjoy the Christa Aluotto Soccer Camp for Girls. This camp will also be held on Drew’s campus and will feature instruction from college, high school, and club coaches as well as current members of the Drew University Women's Soccer Program for girls ages 8-18.

“The Christa Aluotto Soccer camp offers a comprehensive curriculum to players of all levels,” said Drew University Director of Athletic Communications Scott Fitzgerald. “Campers are instructed in the development of basic skills, overall knowledge of the game, tactical awareness, and other needs of the growing soccer player.”

The camp features three different payment options: the Junior Camper option ($290), the Non-Residential Camper plan ($380) as well as an overnight option for campers ($485).

Soccer will not be the only sport with a camp offered at Drew this summer. The baseball, field hockey, basketball and lacrosse programs will all offer options to young athletes looking to improve their skills.

For baseball, the Drew University baseball program is offering a brand-new camp under its head coach, Brian Hirschberg. The camp will operate from June 25-28 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be offered to players ages 6-15 at a cost of $250.

“Our staff will provide individualized instruction emphasizing the basic fundamentals of the game — including offensive and defensive instruction, pitching and base running — through a variety of different drills focused on enhancing overall performance,” said Fitzgerald. “Campers will have the opportunity to put the skills learned in camp into action with afternoon games.”

The field hockey program will offer camps for players of varying ages and skill ranges. With an instructional staff that “has coaching and/or playing experience ranging from college to international play, each camper will have the opportunity to learn and play with former Olympians, All-Americans, and current college head and assistant coaches, according to Felicia Cappabianca, the university’s head field hockey coach.

“IMPACT Field Hockey is committed to developing the basic fundamentals of your game, improve your overall ability, and have a positive experience while bringing your game to the next level.  We provide an ideal setting on a beautiful campus and facilities for each camper to develop their skills,” said Cappabianca. “Individual player development is the focus of the morning technical stations and the afternoon sessions stress the tactical concepts of team offense and defense. Evening sessions are an opportunity to put it all together in game competition. Each camper will come away from camp with a greater knowledge of the game and an improved skill level and love for the sport.”

This particular camp will cost $450 for overnight campers, $350 f0r commuter campers and $225 for Elite Day Campers, all of whom will be in grades 7-12. There will also be a Junior Day Camp offered for $125, and will be geared toward players in grades K-6.

As for basketball, the men’s and women’s programs at Drew will be offering a program together. Head men’s coach Darryl Keckler and head women’s coach Brittany Gaetano will team up to offer a day camp for players in grades 2-12 during the week of June 25.

The camp’s instructional staff will be rounded out by current and former college athletes. The camp will cost $225 and will feature a daily lunch, a t-shirt for each camper and an awards ceremony at the end of the camp on Friday of that week.

Finally, the girls lacrosse program will offer the “Kim Christos Lacrosse Camp” for girls of all ages. Christos, the 12th-year head coach of women’s lacrosse at the university, will work in conjunction with experienced Drew lacrosse players to provide instruction.

The camp will run from June 18 to June 21 and will feature two separate camps: an evening session for girls in grades 2-8 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. ($225), and a night session for high school players from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($175) on the same nights.

“The Kim Christos Lacrosse Camp is a teaching camp for girls of all ages. The program focuses on skill development, stick skills, team concepts and strategies. The campers will be grouped according to age and ability level. It is my goal to provide a challenging and fun experience for each camper,” said Christos. “The Kim Christos Evening Camp is for serious players who are interested in playing lacrosse in college. The camp will run like a college practice and will be held in Drew’s stadium on the turf under the lights. Campers will be instructed by, and will play with, top college players. Focus will be on the newest techniques and will include many challenging and competitive games.”

Additionally, Christos will also offer an overnight camp for girls ages 5-12 from June 22-June 24 for a cost of $325.

“The Kim Christos Overnight Camp offers a fun and challenging environment to promote an optimal learning environment,” said Christos. “Campers will learn the newest techniques of the game as well as team strategies and concepts. Each player will receive individual and team instruction from a talented coaching staff of experience collegiate players.”