Semi-pro team makes Nellis and Creech kids "Kings" for a week Published July 15, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Nellis Youth Center is scheduled to conduct a summer football camp hosted by team members from the Vegas Kings for children 6 to 16 years old beginning July 28 and ending Aug. 2. Players from the newly formed semi-pro football team will be helping Nellis and Creech children learn the fundamentals of football and teamwork. "The camp is designed to get kids active first and foremost," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Piper, strong safety with the Kings and independent duty medical technician with 58th Rescue Squadron. "The other purpose is of course to teach these children the fundamentals of football and to instill an interest in sports at a young age." There will be two sessions a day during the camp. The first will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. for the 6 and 7 year olds, and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for children between the ages of 8 and 16. "We want the kids to be safe and have fun at this camp, which is why we scheduled it during the cooler parts of the day. Safety is our number one concern and the kids wouldn't be having much fun if they are miserable and dehydrated," Sergeant Piper said. At the camp, children will be divided by what positions that they want to play. After they have chosen their positions, they will receive coaching from one of the Kings members that play that spot so the children can get tips and advice from people who actually play the sport. After getting comfortable with their positions, the children will be broken up into teams and begin scrimmaging against each other. Due to base safety regulations, contact football will not be played; instead the participants will simply play flag football. "We are trying to give the kids a good foundation for the fundamentals and get them outside and active in sports so that hopefully they like the sport enough to continue playing it after the camp," said Mr. Dejanaria Austin, 99th Services Squadron Youth Center sports coordinator. The camp, which costs $35, will be accepting approximately 50 children. For more information on the summer camp, call the Nellis Youth Center at 652-6019. For information on the Vegas Kings, visit http://www.vegaskingsfootball.com/.
