Klamath Crusaders host Pop Warner camp

	Photo/Allison Gruener-Smith Boys take part in a Pop Warner Football Camp with the Klamath Crusaders semi-pro football team April 28 at Mazama High School's Viking Field.

May 12, 2007

The Klamath Crusaders semi-pro football team hosted its first Pop Warner football camp for the year Saturday, April 28, at Mazama High School's Viking Field.

The Crusaders had a great turnout of boys between the ages of 6 and 14 at the free camp. All boys participating in the camp received a free Klamath Crusaders T-shirt. The boys were divided up into groups depending on which football position they had interest in. Camp instruction was provided through Crusaders coach Don Nelson and a dozen Crusaders team members. The last 45 minutes of the two-hour camp was spent in letting the boys use what they had learned by playing an organized non-contact football game.

Thirteen-year-old Bruce Cox, who attends Gearhart Elementary School in Bly, said about the camp, "The camp was awesome. It was really cool because they had separate groups for different positions. I am learning more about being a quarterback."

Taylor McMillan, 10, from Shasta Elementary School commented, "I really liked the camp. It's the best, and I really had a great time."

One of the dads, Tim Foreman, who had his two sons Zach, age 9 and Josh, age 14 participating in the camp said he "really appreciated the comaraderie between the players and the kids, and the players are truly here to teach."

Tim went on to say "The biggest thing is that neither of my boys have played organized football and this camp is a great introduction to the game for them. It's rare to see this type of community involvement where no one is asking for money for the kids to participate. I, as a dad, appreciate all the positive things the Crusaders stand for in the community. They have inspired me to 'pay it forward' in my own life."

The Crusaders plan to have at least two more free Pop Warner football camps this year. The Four-and-One Klamath Crusaders final home game for this year is 6 p.m. today, at Viking Field at Mazama High School. They host the High Desert Lightning team from the Bend-Redmond area.

For more information about the Crusaders visit their Web site at www.klamathcrusaders.com or call Crusaders Administration. at 810-1271. For more details about the free Pop Warner football camps, or to become involved, contact Nelson at 892-1419. The Klamath Crusaders is a nonprofit semi-pro football organization structured around applying and promoting the "pay it forward" moral philosophy.

- By Don Gruener