Youngsters who are crazy about the sport of soccer have the opportunity to learn from the best of them at two different day camps.

The first is the Challenger British Soccer Camp which gets under way Monday, June 26, and continues through Friday, June 30, at Parque de Vida. The second camp, presented by the Colorado Gold of the United States Soccer League, is slated July 24-26 at Parque de Vida.

The Challenger British Soccer Camp is once again returning to Montezuma County. It was here a year ago and was a great success.

The week-long camp is sponsored by the Tri-City Soccer Association. The camp, set June 26-30 at Parque de Vida in Cortez, will offer three-hour morning sessions for the novice player and a three-hour afternoon session for the older, more experienced players.

During the week of the camp, the staff will hold a free coaching clinic for parents and coaches at Parque de Vida. Special coaches clinic will begin evenings at 6:30 and will cover such areas as organization of practices, technical drills, and systems of play.

The cost of the camp is $80 per person which includes a camp ball and a tee shirt. There are family discounts available for $5 off the second child and $10 for a third child.

Tri-City Soccer Association is also seeking families who would be interested in hosting a British Coach in their home for the week of the camp.

Registration forms can be picked up at Cortez City Hall, and Howard’s Sporting Goods in downtown Cortez. For more information, phone Debra Ramsey at 565-3086.

The Colorado Gold compete in the W-League. The W-League is the highest level of women’s soccer next to the Women’s National Team. The Gold is committed to bringing elite women’s soccer to the entire state while providing positive role models for aspiring young soccer players.

The local camp is not only for girls but boys as well. The U-6 to U-8 boys and girls will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. July 24-25 and 3-5 p.m. July 26. The coach-to-player ratio will be about 11 to 1. The cost for the three days of instruction is $75 per person. U10 and above boys and girls will have their camp times 6-8 p.m. July 24, 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. July 25, and 9-11:30 a.m. July 26. The coach-player ratio will be about 13-1.

The coaching staff will include Douglas County head coach Theresa Echtermeyer, who was named 1994, 97, 99 5A Girls Coach of the Year. She also is director of coaching and player development for the Douglas County Blast. She holds a United States Soccer Federation B License and National Youth Diploma. Chellie McCourt is the camp director. She is a goalkeeper, team captain and three-year veteran of the W-League. She is a Cherry Creek High School teacher. She has coaching experience at youth and high school levels.

Also appearing will be NCAA All-Americans Rosie Durbin, Becky King, Jaimie Luce, and Michelle Culbertson. All staff members have youth coaching experience and all have a great passion for coaching soccer.