Junior Dolphins Summer Camp in Tamarac on July 14, 2021. (Mary Holt/Miami Dolphins)
By Jill Fox
With another flag football season just around the corner, the Miami Dolphins have an excellent opportunity for young athletes looking to up their game.
This summer — forget the heat and the rain; the Junior Dolphins Summer Camps, presented by FARE, is held indoors and costs far less than other summer camps in the area.
Eager boys and girls, ages 7 to 14, have the chance to spend their summer training like the pros — and possibly even meet some of them, with the photos to prove it. The five-day camp experience invites athletes of all levels to strengthen their football skills and work on fundamentals in the team’s training facility.
“Our motto is, teach, learn and play football in a safe environment,” said RaShauna Hamilton, Senior Director, Community Relations and Youth Programs.
Hamilton, who has been involved with the camp for five years, said they are very excited about hosting indoors at their new site.
“It’s the first time since Covid, the building is open to anyone, and it’s right in our backyard,” she said.
Camps are led by Junior Dolphins coaches and focus on drills, skills, competitions, and games.
Hamilton said they aim to provide a space for kids that’s engaging. They learn skills, play games, have competitions, and focus on teamwork, heart, integrity, and respect.
“We practice things like character development both on and off the field as well,” she said.
Each week, young athletes are split into age divisions and assigned to a team. They get a jersey and shorts, courtesy of Nike, and spend most of their days playing football. Other activities include passing games and relays where kids get to compete and have a good time.
“If someone is new to the game and still learning, camp can work for them, as well as for more advanced players to sharpen their skills,” said Hamilton.
Campers will have chances to win Dolphins prizes and giveaways and the possibility of meeting current players, cheerleaders, or Dolphins Alumni.
Registration includes a camp shirt, an official photo, a Dolphins Preseason game ticket, and access to discounted regular season Dolphins tickets.
The week concludes with a special Championship Friday, where each of the young athletes gets an opportunity to enter the field through the players’ tunnel, with their parents watching.
The co-ed camps run weekly from Monday, June 13 through Friday, July 1 at the Miami Dolphins Health Training Facility in Miami Gardens. Then, from Monday, July 11 to Friday, August 12 at various South Florida locations. The cost is $199 per week with a $50 deposit to guarantee a spot.
Cheer Camp
Football players aren’t the only ones who get to tackle all the fun. Cheerleaders are in luck too.
The Junior Dolphins Summer Cheer Camps, presented by the Dairy Council, provide an experience for those who want to explore the performance aspect of cheer and dance. Taught by professional Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders in their training facility, dancers can learn and train in a fun and safe environment.
Cheer camp takes place from Monday, June 20 to Friday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Miami Dolphins Health Training Facility in Miami Gardens. The cost is $199 for the week with a $50 deposit to guarantee a spot.
The five-day camps meet daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register here.
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