Youth Soccer Summer Camp Series- NY Red Bulls Youth Soccer Summer Camps

“It must be summer

Cause the days are long

And I dial your number

But you’re gone, gone, gone”

                I am hoping you’ve gone to a Youth Soccer Summer Camp here on Long Island.  There are so many offered and it is so much better to have our young soccer players out there being active than sitting home all day on the Xbox or PS3 (or Oovoo, Instagram, the IPAD…etc…etc…etc).  Over the last few days, I gave you some contact information for local Summer Soccer Programs and took a close look at the Summer Camps offered by L.I. Rough Riders, and today we take a special look at the NY Red Bulls Summer Youth Programs. 

                As a coach (and now a blogger), I have found the staff at the NY Red Bulls to be accessible, friendly, and willing to help.  As a Red Bulls fan, I enjoyed attending a game a few years ago and look forward to our next trip to their fields.  I know the Red Bulls share a partnership with Long Island Junior Soccer, the league many of our soccer players and teams play in, and I know that the Red Bulls have done programs in Brentwood and other Long Island Clubs.  Although they are the Major League Soccer Team and Organization for New York, New Jersey, and the smart part of Connecticut (I am assuming the lines draw for Red Bulls/Revolution fans along the same geographical lines that separate Yankees and Red Sox fans), the NY Red Bulls are active in their support of the youth soccer players in the Tri-State area.  I find this refreshing, as I have not seen any other Major League teams in our area have such a strong presence in our youth sports programs as the Red Bulls are in our youth soccer programs.  I can say from experience and by paying attention the last few years that the Red Bulls and their staff are extremely accessible to the coaches, parents, and players in the soccer communities in the Tri-State Area.

               

                 The Red Bulls were originally known as the Metro Stars and were introduced to the Tri-State area as our MLS team in 1995 and they first played for us in 1996 at Giants Stadium.  Over the next years, they made history as they brought major league soccer to New York.  In 2006, Red Bulls Company GmbH, maker of Red Bulls energy drink, purchased the Metro Stars and within a few years had built a state of the art soccer stadium for the team in Harrison, NJ, where the team continues to play and make soccer history.  During these years, the Academy and youth training programs were born.  According to their website,” The Red Bulls Player Development System is a multi-layered program that provides professional support at all levels of the game. Each level of the player development pyramid has been structured to provide extensive support to players, coaches and youth soccer organizations. Within the local community, programs are offered for players of all ages and abilities. For players with outstanding ability, there is an opportunity to progress to the academy level and ultimately, to the Red Bulls First Team.”  This philosophy is continued in the Red Bulls Summer Youth Camps.   The Red Bulls Summer Camps are the only soccer camps run by a Professional Soccer team and training staff on Long Island.

                The NY Red Bulls have one of the most descriptive websites that I have found in my research of Summer Youth Soccer camps.  I can not do it justice here in my limited space and I encourage you to visit the website at www.redbullsacademy.com  (camp info is under the Academy link on homepage)or call 1-888-370-7287.  The website includes descriptions of each different camp, includes sample daily camp schedules and provides more information on the soccer training philosophy of the NY Red Bulls for our young soccer players.  In addition, the website offers many parent testimonials and a question/answer section that is helpful. 

The NY Red Bulls Youth Summer camps offers different types of camps including: Mini KICK Camp (players 5-6 years old), Skills Camp (Recreation, Travel, and Select Players), Team Camp (designed for entire teams), Extended Day Camp (Advanced Player Camp for players who prefer to travel each day and not stay at residential camp- is NOT available for RDS Residential Camps), High School Camp (specifically designed for High School teams and in coordination with team’s High School Coach), and RDS Camps and Residential Camps (Regional Development School (RDS)  day and residential camps for competitive and elite travel team players).  The average age of campers is 5-14, but most camps are for players aged 8-18, while the Skills Camp takes players aged 7-14, Team Camps will take teams with players as old as 18, and Residential Camp is for players aged 9-15 years.  Most camps are 1 week long and the camps can run 3 hours, to a full-day to an extended day of 8:30a-8:30p, the length of camp depends on type of camp.   In addition to the high level of skill and technical training each soccer player receives, campers will also receive an Adidas branded camp t-shirt, soccer ball, and companion ticket to a Red Bulls game.  Players who take part in the residential camp will also receive an Adidas branded uniform , t-shirt, Adidas soccer ball, Companion ticket to a Red Bulls game at Red Bulls arena, end of week performance evaluation , Daily player awards and prizes , 3 meals per day/unlimited buffet, and additional non-soccer activities offered during “fun” time including swimming, tennis, basketball etc. (this only offered at certain camps and should be verified prior to registration).  The RDS camps offer elite soccer players the opportunity to possibly be chosen to take part in additional Red Bulls activities as described on the website.  The cost of the camps are very comparable and range as low as $120 (MINI SKILLS) to $640 (residential), with the average skills camps running about $155 for 3 hours  and $245 for all day camp.  Some of the camps on Long Island are taking part at the LIJ Soccer Park in Plainview, there are many additional camps run by local clubs and may be open to all soccer players.  The cost of these camps varies and are listed on the website.

 

 There are so many different camps and locations offered not only on Long Island, but in other parts of NY, NJ, CT, and parts of PA, it is best to visit www.redbulls.com and under the “Academy” selection is where you will find all the schedules and pricing.  Prices vary based on type of camp and when registration takes place.  You can also email them at training@newyorkredbulls.com.

                The Red Bulls philosophy is a great one: Create a FUN and CHALLENGING environment where players have the opportunity to learn.  I have wanted to send my older boy to a Red Bulls Camp for a few years, but to be honest, I believed the cost was outside of my ability.  It was surprising to discover, during my research for this blog, how affordable and comparable in cost these camps are to others in the area.  Although my sons have never attended any of the Red Bulls Youth programs, I have heard good things about the training, and I know at least one of the trainers and he is a quality trainer (he trained my son for many years and would still train him of the Red Bulls had not scooped him up).  I would recommend the NY Red Bulls organization and program.  I want to mention that the NY Red Bulls also has a year-long Academy program for players U14 and older which is subsidized for the players.  In addition, the RDS year-long training program on Long Island is free for LIJ players, but both of these programs require players to try-out and be accepted. These camps are a good opportunity for parents and players to get a sample of the quality of training these programs offer, as well as allow the trainers to get a look at the player prior to tryouts.  According to the Red Bulls, their Youth Soccer Academy program is the #1 program in the MLS. Overall- the NY Red Bulls have so many great opportunities during the summer and year-long for our Long Island soccer youth and I strongly encourage you to take a look at their website at www.newyorkredbulls.com.

                As always, please share and comment below with any additional questions or information you may have.  Tomorrow, we will take a special look at the NOGA summer camp programs.  I was excited to hear from them after I did a small mention in my first Summer Camp special.  They helped me learn more about their program, and not only was it a great way to learn more about a program I have heard great things about for years, but it also felt GREAT to know that my blog is not only reaching parents and coaches, but that organizations are paying attention and are willing to help me provide you all with not only accurate, but varied information so that you all have everything you need to determine what is best for you and your soccer player!  Also, coming soon, a look at the LI Rough Riders free goalie clinic, this past weekend’s Indy Cup, AND the MUCH anticipated “Coachra v. Momzilla” (I was dared this past weekend to share a certain story and I will very soon!)  Say tuned and as always, share it-like it-subscribe!