Kinnelon Sports Academy Starting in June

Grab your soccer cleats and your football padding, as the athletic department is getting ready to roll out the Kinnelon Colts Summer Sports Academy this June.

The Academy has been in operation for about 12 years, according to Kinnelon Athletic Director Scott Rosenberg, providing incoming third grade to incoming eighth grade students the opportunity to spend week-long sessions practicing their sport of choice with coaches, assistant coaches and upperclassmen.

Sports being offered include baseball, softball, football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, track and general fitness and fun.

"It was designed to really service the younger kids in town, as well as other towns," Rosenberg said about the program. Children do not have to live in Kinnelon to participate.

The participation fee for each sport is $140 per child, which goes toward the costs of Kinnelon t-shirts for participants, a pizza party at the end of the session and continuation of the program. At a regular day camp, children would be instructed by counselors, but the children who participate in the program are actually taught the sports by the Kinnelon High School coaches themselves and their assistants, as well as other students who have experience playing the sports.

"The main goal really is for our coaches to start developing relationships with kids in town," said Rosenberg.

Typically, the amount of participants ranges by sport, but usually at least 20 kids attend each session, Rosenberg said. The kids attend the camp from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Parents can register for their children from now until June 12 here.