Chippewa Valley Times

The collaboration on the new Scheels Sport For All Camp at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) in July is founded on a shared belief by Scheels and UW-Eau Claire that young people should have equal opportunities to learn various sports, regardless of cost. The camp aims to equip students entering kindergarten through eighth grade with tools to become better athletes and responsible individuals. Campers will explore different sports and develop important leadership skills.

“Scheels is excited to partner with UWEC to provide more opportunities for the youth of our community to become more active and be exposed to the college experience and any opportunities for them in the future,” said a Scheels spokesperson. “Scheels prides itself on giving back to the communities in which we live and work, and the Sport For All program is a perfect opportunity to do so.”

Scheels, along with Blugold alumni Paul and Mary Smith, who met at UW-Eau Claire, are the primary sponsors financially supporting the camp through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. Julia Diggins, Foundation interim president, emphasized the importance of such donations.

“The generosity of Scheels, and Paul and Mary, has allowed us to, once again, create a partnership to serve our local community,” Diggins stated. “It’s projects like this that help students in our community not only have access to UWEC’s coaches and facilities but also begin to imagine themselves as students at UW-Eau Claire or other campuses.”

Paul Smith explained their motivation for sponsoring the camps: “There are too many communities with children who don’t have equal opportunities to succeed,” he said. “Sports was a big part of my development.” The Smiths have previously financed projects such as building a new YMCA and a Boys & Girls Club in Illinois.

The camp will host sessions from 8 a.m.-noon on July 8-11 and July 15-18 at McPhee Center and Simpson Field on UW-Eau Claire’s upper campus. Coaches and current athletes will staff these sessions, providing campers with an educational sports and leadership experience.

“This is a great opportunity for young people to learn various sports and the skills that go with it,” said Patrick Reilly, Blugold head baseball coach. “It will be a great opportunity for youth to work with college student-athletes, getting them moving and learning during summer when school is not in session.”

Information about the camp and registration is available here.