After taking over as the head coach of the Dolores High School football team in 2013, Chris Trusler spoke about the importance of exposing eventual high school football players to the sport at an early age.
Roughly a year later, Trusler, who had previously served as a U.S. Marine and coached semiprofessional football in Florida, hosted the first annual Four Corners Football Camp at the Dolores High School football field.
Although the number of players participating in the camp during the first season was relatively small, reviews from parents and campers were positive, leading to increased numbers in each of the following two years.
Now set to host the camp for the fourth straight season, Trusler, along with other members of the Dolores High School football staff are expecting more than 100 players between Kindergarten and 8th grade to attend.
This year’s camp will take place June 22-24 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and will offer campers the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football while working on key skills such as pass catching, ball carrying, footwork, and blocking. Both boys and girls are encouraged to sign up and attend.
“This year’s camp is a non-contact camp, so no helmets are required,” Trusler said. “It’s a great way for kids to learn the fundamentals and practice good safety techniques. For kids that are new to the sport, it gives them exposure to the game.”
According to Trusler, campers will be broken into age groups so as to allow players of different abilities and maturity levels to learn and retain relevant skills. The camp, which has previously lasted two days, will run three days this season. Campers who register prior to June 1 will be charged $40, while campers registering by June 16 will be charged $50.
Those attending the camp should wear shorts, t-shirts, cleats, and running shoes. All campers who register prior to June 16 are guaranteed to receive a camp t-shirt.
“Our camp has tripled in size each year that we’ve done it,” Trusler said. “It has definitely grown each year and we’ve had all the states in the Four Corners represented. This year is going to be our biggest camp yet and I expect everyone to have a good time.”
Parents or potential campers interested in receiving more information can contact Chris Trusler at 970-570-9425.
