Tiger soccer program holds annual summer camp for students

June 12, 2025

By Clay Whittington

Belton Journal

The Tigers’ annual boys soccer camp is intended for kids, but Carlo Mosnia believes it is a testament to the program.

For decades, Belton has offered summer sports camps to the area’s youth, providing fun and fundamentals for all ages, and this year was no different.

Despite early morning rain repeatedly attempting to interfere, the Tigers conducted the three-day camp starting Monday, and it was a success, drawing approximately 40 third- through ninth-graders.

Admittedly, the numbers were impressive, but Mosnia feels the fact his current and former players donate their free time to help conduct the camp is equally important.

“That means a lot to me,” he said,

“and the guys know that. To me, that shows how much they respect me, how much they respect the program and how much they love the game. It is just great to see.

Additionally, the more time we all spend together, the stronger our relationship grows, and that is one of the best parts of it all.”

Thanks to Mother Nature, portions of the camp were unexpectedly spent inside the school’s gymnasium, but instruction continued for each three-hour session.

Overall, the goal was the same as Mosnia hoped: to provide universal skills through drills, games, discussions, and competitions, but with such a wide variety of ages and skill levels in attendance, modifications were necessary.

The same lessons were being imparted to all, but an emphasis on basic techniques through funner activities was used for younger kids, while older participants were learning the abilities at more intricate levels.

Attendance was fairly evenly distributed across the age range, according to Mosnia, but one group in particular stood out based on numbers, giving him reason to be hopeful for the future.

“There were probably 14 sixth-graders,” he said.

“So, that is a pretty good percentage of everyone who was there. That was really nice to see.”

While there are many benefits to the camp for all involved, at its core, the event is merely meant to nurture a love for the sport among the area’s youth, and Mosnia simply wants everyone to have fun and leave with new knowledge.

The goal was accomplished.

“The kids seemed to love it,” he said.

“They’ve done a great job of transitioning with us whether we were inside or outside. All the games were fun and competitive, and everyone was actively engaged and involved.

We didn’t have any issues outside of the weather.”