By Colin R. Griggs

 

On the fields of Indian Mountain School’s beautiful campus, the FC Sarum Soccer Camp quietly spent its 20th year of existence this summer teaching the area’s youth about the “beautiful game.” Starting in 1991 at Salisbury School, Directors Steve Griggs and Joe Cleary opened the camp offering two weeks of soccer where the aim was to give kids the chance to learn basic skills, sportsmanship and have fun playing in a competitive atmosphere.

 

After the summer of 1997, Salisbury School started their construction of two new academic buildings, which pushed all the fields across Route 44. IMS graciously worked with Griggs, and became the new host for the program. “Immediately, it was clear that Indian Mountain was going to be the perfect fit,” says Griggs.

 

Over the next 13 years, FC Sarum grew into a three-week program starting just after the Fourth of July where about 200 kids–ranging between five and 15 years old–come to Lakeville for a fun experience. Every year, familiar faces come back to hone their skills and then try to take on the “Pele Course” at the end of the week.

 

This year was an especially great year for the coaching staff as well. During the middle week, 11 out of the 12 staff coaches  were former campers, showing just how important the middle weeks of July are to the local soccer stars.

 

This staff included four three-week coaches, all of whom played locally and have become college players. Chris Matteo (Millerton, NY) plays at Guilford College in North Carolina while Maggie Yahn (Sharon, CT) is entering her sophomore year at Rutgers University. Griggs’ two children, Colin and Jessica both played in college and are furthering their careers in coaching on a full-time basis. Colin was the Assistant Athletic Director at IMS for three years, and he is looking forward to moving to Hebron Academy in Maine later this summer where he will be the Head Coach for the Varsity Girls’ team. Jessie will be in her first season as Assistant Coach of the women’s team at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.

 

There was a bit of sad news this year that came during the end of the middle week when Athletic Trainer Carrie Corey announced that this would be her last year. Having been with the camp from the beginning, she has spent many long hours hauling water, fixing blisters, and was always there to make sure her “camper’s stew” had many ailed body parts.

 

Griggs cannot believe that he has been doing this for 20 years, but nothing made him happier than having two of his children and his wife with him every day to celebrate this banner year. “It is great to be here for this community, to see so many happy kids during the summer, and to spend the majority of July with my family.”