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The Camps are run by Bill Kinzer and Chad Kenny, the varsity coaches at East. Between the two of them, they have over 30 years experience in coaching, winning numerous league, district and regional titles along the way. Players from the girls and boys squads at East help with the camp, keeping the ratio of teacher to student at approximately 1 to 8.Ê

"The young kids really look up to our high school players," East girls soccer coach Bill Kinzer said. "They know they want to work hard to be as good as the high school players when they get older.Ê

"It's great to see the high school kids who come back to teach because not long ago they were the students."

The club has opened it to any and all from the area who want to improve their individual soccer skills.

"We focus on individual skills over a team concept so they can take those skills back to their travel teams or their recreational teams" says Neal Kobylik, director of coaching for the club. "At the younger ages, it's important to develop ball handling skills as opposed to worrying about formations or tactical play."

Kobylik also indicated that the club is thriving in recent years. The Lapeer Soccer Club began in 1993 with one U-12 girls team, expressly to help the high school program. That goal remains today, however the Club now has 105 members, with three boys teams and five girls teams. Teams range in age from U-11 to U-14.Ê

"Our club is a feeder for our high school programs at East," Kobylik said. "We develop kids to be effective players, good teammates, and solid people.

"We're proud of our club, as it is all volunteer, which allows us to keep costs to parents down."

For the 2007-08 playing year, the club had boys teams at U-11, 13, and 14. On the girl's side, there are two U-12 and U-14 squads, as well as a team at U-11. The club currently has 11 coaches, all with various levels of experience and certification.

"We are proud of our ability to train kids at younger ages so they are ready and capable high school players," Kobylik said.

In the past few years, both the East boys and girls teams won league and district championships. The boys also won the Metro league for the first time ever in the fall of 2007.

Ê"We believe our hard work with the younger kids leads directly to that success at the varsity level," Kobylik said. "Our club coaches are proud of all of our kids who play.Ê

"East has placed over 20 players in college programs since 1993, and it all starts with our youth."

This year the boys and girls camps will be run at the same time. It is great for all kids, grades 3-8. The LSC Mini-Camp is July 28 through 31 from 9a.m. to Noon at Lapeer East High School. Cost is $40 and includes a T-shirt this year.

The camp is open to any and all from the area. Proceeds benefit the Lapeer East Boys and Girls Soccer programs. Call 252-9550 or 245-8688, or you can email at nealkobylik@hotmail.com for more details.