There’s still time to join a sports camp in Duluth

It’s not too late! Even though Active Kids Association (AKA) Duluth All Sports Camp registration is filling up fast, spots in the lacrosse, outdoor recreation, soccer, ice sports, football, fitness/Olympics, and closing ceremonies activities are still available. Local youth ages 6 to 15 still have the opportunity to be active, healthy, and “bring back that old school fun” through sports while enjoying summer.

“Last year, I think I got a flier for the camp in my mailbox at school,” Madi Rognerud, 11, said. “The camp is a fun way to play, meet new people, and not be lazy all summer.”

“You have fun and get worn out in a good way every day,” Tyler Koslacher, 11, said to the Budgeteer. “I like getting to play all of the different sports instead of just one.”

“Today’s youth sports culture has become so incredibly serious about developing our kids into one sport through year-round training and intense competition,” said AKASPORT founder and director Chris Schulz. “We’ve lost out on what it means to have fun, to be diverse, and lost track of trying out new sports and extracurricular activities.” The mission of AKA is to keep youths well rounded through sports while offering activities for children of all abilities and talents.

“Camp is really active. We’ve played dodge ball, lacrosse, and do things with fishing poles,” Finn Hoops, 10, said.

“Every week is a focused sport. The kids will do the focus sport for about one and a half hours every day. The rest of the time they are playing sports like ultimate Frisbee, capture the flag, and others,” said Darrell Spencer, the director of Duluth’s AKA camp.

“I like all the games, like dodge ball and stuff,” Ava Miter, 8, said.

The camp is located at the Heritage Sports Complex (120 South 30th Avenue West). Twenty-five to 40 boys and girls have been participating each week, almost double last year’s 10 to 30 youth. This is the camp’s second year in Duluth, with around 175 children participating throughout this summer. Originally from the Twin Cities area, the camp features not only multi-sports and games, but also field trips and special guests every week.

“For Diamond Week last year, we took a field trip to a Twins game. This year we went to the Huskies stadium and got to go out on the field,” Koslacher said. “During Closing Week last year, we went on the Timber Twister at Spirit Mountain.”

“Weekly guests vary, depending on the focus sport,” said Spencer. “For Baseball Week we had Scholastica baseball, Duluth Huskies, and UMD softball. For Fishing Week we had the DNR

MinnAqua program, Coast Guard for water safety, and a DNR conservation officer for regulations. I try to get two to four special guests to mentor the youth.”

“My favorite guest was the girls’ softball player from last year’s Diamond Week. She threw a pitch that knocked over our junior coach. It was super-funny,” Rognerud said.

Local youth can participate in any individual week that focuses on their favorite sport for $195, or can choose to participate in multiple weeks, getting exposure to a variety of sports through discounted multi-week packages.

“I think it’s great. He loves to fish,” Joe Schrier said to the Budgeteer, about his son Aidan who was involved in the fishing week.

The AKA runs five days a week through August 24. Every day there is a flexible drop-off time between 8 and 9 a.m.; and while the camp ends at 3 p.m., extended care until 6 p.m. is available with through Boys and Girls Club. For more information or to register visit www.akasport.org, call (218)724-4226, or email Darrell@akasport.org.

Tags: budge sports, budgeteer