This July 10th current and former NFL athletes will be coming to coach at the 7th annual Pro Football Camp held July 10-13, 8:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m., at UCCS Mt. Lion Stadium. Over the past six years, more than 1,500 kids have been impacted by these NFL athletes, who not only teach football skills, but also share their stories of overcoming adversity.

This year’s camp will feature a rich roster of NFL athletes including current NFL athletes: Chris Kuper, Broncos; Jared Cook, Titans; Chris Chester, Redskins; Drake Dunsmore, Buccaneers; Dejon Gomes, Redskins; Bill Nagy, Cowboys; and Greg Scruggs, Seahawks. Additionally, former NFL athletes include: Rich Griffith, Jaguars; Thomas Tapeh, Eagles; Anthony Trucks, Steelers; Ryan Hannam, Cowboys; and Duke Preston, Cowboys, just to name a few.

Camp will kickoff on Monday, July 9th with the Falcon Physical Therapy Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Flying Horse Golf Course. NFL athletes will be paired with a foursome where the teams will compete against each other in a scramble format. After a day on the golf course, the athletes will spend the evening at Back East Bar and Grill signing autographs for the entire community from 6:30-8:30. The Praise with the Pros event will be held at Woodmen Valley Chapel on Tuesday evening from 5:30-8:00, and will feature the athletes sharing their testimonials with the community and a raffle that will send members home with authentic NFL jerseys autographed by the athletes. These special events held outside of camp really allow the Pro Football Camp and NFL athletes to connect with the Colorado Springs community.

Both athletes and campers alike have had great things to say about the weeklong festivities in the past. Samson Satele, C, Raiders, stated, “I was once a kid and to have a camp like this really makes you fall in love with the game at a young age. I am just glad I can give back as others have done before me and what better place than here.”

When Jonathan Gervais, an eight-year old camp participant, was asked how he liked camp, he stated, “I’d rather go to the Pro Football Camp then go back to Disneyland. This has been the most fun I have had in a long time.”

Of course the highlight of the camp always is the NFL athletes. A six-year participant Jojo Domann shared, “My favorite part of camp is that I get to interact with the NFL players and learn how to make my technique and game as a whole better.”

Pro Football Camp Executive Director, Darlene Warmouth said, “We would like to thank in advance all of the NFL athletes who will volunteer their time. We’d also like to thank the countless number of volunteers who work hard behind the scenes to make this camp successful. This weeklong event could not occur without either of them!”

Warmouth continued on to say, “It takes a whole community to put on such a great event.” The Pro Football Camp would like to thank this year’s sponsor partners, which include:

• Falcon Physical Therapy for the first aid tent at camp and being the title sponsor of the golf tournament, which raises money for scholarships
• Back East Bar & Grill for marketing/advertising of camp and hosting the “Meet and Greet” on Monday, July 9th from 6:30-8:30
• Texas Roadhouse for providing a free meal for the campers on the first day of camp
• Mateos Salon and Day Spa for marketing and advertising of the camp and providing spa services

Also a special thanks to some very special volunteers:

• Greg Nowlin of Nowlin Photography studio for taking pictures at camp which will be available for free on the website
• PSA for providing and coordinating all the transportation for the entire week of camp and printing all the PFC fliers

And many more!

To get more information about the Pro Football Camp, visit www.profootballcamp.com or call (719)266-9308.

Download the FREE MyKidsWeek Activity Book.

Download and print this Activity Book (pdf) with fun activities and ways to explore Colorado Springs with your kids.

When was the last time your kids had unstructured playtime outside? Or built a fort in the woods? It’s time to feel the sun shine down on your shoulders again, touch the earth with your fingers and toes, see the smiles of your children, make mud pies with them, and hear the bird chorus singing in the dawn of a new day.

The long-lasting benefits of playing outdoors are healthier and happier children and families who understand and care about the environment. El Paso County Nature Centers invite you to form a Family Outdoor Club and register at Fountain Creek or Bear Creek Nature Centers. A club consists of two or more families who register. This self-paced “No Child Left Inside” initiative is designed to help families encourage each other to get outside to play with their children and to explore their El Paso County Parks.

As a registered Family Outdoor Club, your immediate benefits include:

• FREE interactive Outdoor Activity Passport to your El Paso County Parks
• FREE Family Outdoor Club cling sticker for your car window
• FREE Nature Bucks to spend on programs at Bear Creek or Fountain Creek Nature Centers
• FREE “No Child Left Inside” t-shirts for the kids.

Recent studies show that outdoor play has decreased by 75% since 1900 and that children spend an average of 6 hours a day connected to something electronic. Every child needs to have free playtime outdoors. Author of Last Child in the Woods, Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv says, “The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses.”

Studies also show that children who have plenty of unstructured outside playtime, show less aggression or bullying behavior. When a child explores the uneven surfaces of the woods, and plays on uneven surfaces that do not have equidistant hand and footholds, he/she develops better coordination and decision-making abilities.

Family Outdoor Club chairperson, Barbara Mills had this to say about why they decided to register. “We live in such a beautiful state. Why not be outside together with your friends? Our children need exposure to many good things that they can’t get at a daycare center or a sterile backyard. They need to run outside and create memories.”

We agree! Register your Family Outdoor Club today and get outside!

719-520-6745 or 719-520-6387 or www.elpasocountyparks.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Activities »

Spring Break Activities »

Recent Holiday Event Listings

Valentines Day Activities »

Halloween and Fall Festival Activities »

Thanksgiving Weekend Activities »

Christmas and Winter Holiday Activities »

Parents’ Nights Out give you a break (think date night) while your kids have fun, and you get a peek into a program and its staff to see if your kids like it.

• The Little Gym  |  719-447-9153
• Aerials Gymnastics on 8th Street | 719-578-1006
• My Gym  |  719-528-5437
• ArtSports  |  719-531-5867

These organizations occasionally offer free activity days, public performances, and free or inexpensive open houses/open play time. Contact them to find out more about opportunities:

• Bemis School of Art | free family adventure days  |  719-475-2444
• Kindermusik  |  don’t miss their drum nights!  |  719-641-7240
• Aerials Gymnastics on 8th Street | 719-578-1006
• Universal Kempo Karate School  |  occasional public performances  |  719-231-3557

And here are a few organizations that provide birthday opportunities for members and non-members, a great way to get a feel for their services while giving your kids and their friends a fun party experience (view all birthday parties):

• Kindermusik  |  719-641-7240
• Soccer Buddies  |  719-330-9642
• My Gym  |  719-528-5437

Dec 9 – 11, 2011 & Dec 16 – 19, 2011
6 pm – 9 pm

Springs First Church of the Nazarene presents The Many Lights of Christmas to the Colorado Springs community. This free festive Christmas drive-through event offers more than a half-million lights in a dozen scenes. Live costumed characters, carolers and festive Christmas music add to the interactive and sensory experience.