Students Have a Blast at Playmakers Football Camp

The Pro Football Hall of Fame hosted the inaugural Playmakers Football Camp on FieldTurf Field located on the Hall’s campus today. Nearly 200 kids with special needs learned the fundamentals, history, and the values of the game.
 
Coaches and players from four different local high schools helped the staff conduct the camp drills and provide positive reinforcement.
 
“Our kids with special needs are just like every other kid. They get an opportunity to play and have a blast like everybody else,” shared Sandy Valley Middle School Intervention Specialist Kristen Maylee.
 
The camp consisted of seven stations that incorporated the values of the Hall of Fame which are Commitment, Integrity, Courage, Respect and Excellence.
 
The camp participants were also able to sit with the high school football players, eat a free lunch courtesy of Chick-Fil-A and interact with each other. Many of the students, including the high school football players, left with new friends.
 
“The experience allowed students to interact with one another in a way that may not be possible in school,” explained the Hall’s Youth and Education Programs Coordinator Mike Myers.

Shortly after the camp concluded, Myers received positive feedback from teachers that were involved with the program. Angie Duncan, an Intervention Specialist from Fairless High School said “It was an awesome experience for our students and staff. The students loved participating in the football drills with their football player peers from around Stark County. Some students who were even reluctant to participate ended up jumping in and having a great time!”

The event will again be held next year in the spring of 2017 at the Hall of Fame. More youth and education programs are available throughout the summer.