Alumni Coach Middle School Camp

Down the street from the Elementary Summer Camp, middle school and high school students are participating in a different camp. Every Wednesday during the month of July, a group of ten LA SCORES alumni meet at the middle school field to coach the middle school players.

Earlier in the summer, the alumni attended a special training put on by Team Up For Youth -- an organization that recruits and trains volunteer coaches in California -- to learn basic drills, fun games, and techniques for coaching younger kids. This month they've been able to take what they learn and put it into action at Palms Middle School. At practice, groups of two or three alumni each organize a drill at a station -- shooting, passing, dribbling, defense, etc. -- then they divide the middle schoolers up into small groups and have them rotate through the stations. After each group completes all of the drills, they scrimmage together.

As coaches, the alumni are showing the middle schoolers that LA SCORES doesn't end when you graduate 5th or 8th grade. Those who are interested can still be a part of the program through volunteer coaching or even just coming out to play soccer with old friends. It is our hope that this will start a new tradition where the current middle schoolers come back with their friends as high schoolers every summer to help teach new 6th graders soccer skills and the value of community.

America SCORES on CBS

America SCORES New York was on the news today on CBS. Click here to watch the video http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=144240@wcbs.dayport.com

US National Team Member Practices With Alumni

Last week, US National Team member Stuart Holden attended a special practice for LA SCORES high school alumni. Rather than running drills, Holden wanted to just get out there and play. The practice turned into a giant 14v14 scrimmage, mostly boys vs. girls with Holden playing for the girls' team. Holden scored two goals for his team, but they were defeated by the boys. The kids really appreciated having the opportunity to play alongside one of the players talented enough to be chosen to represent the U.S. as part of the national team; and the boys especially enjoyed testing their skills against him.


After the scrimmage, the kids and Stuart Holden had two juggling contests. Holden gave each winner one of his shoes as a souvenir.



Stuart Holden, 24, was born in Scotland and moved to the US when he was 10. He began playing for the Houston Dynamo in 2006, and helped lead his team to two titles (2006 and 2007). His success in the MLS drew international attention, and in January 2010 he moved to England to join the Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. Holden was on the 2008 US Olympic team, where he scored in the US's opening match. Also, this summer he played in the first stage match against England at the World Cup.



LA SCORES would like to thank Stuart Holden for coming out and playing!

Elementary Summer School Programming

This summer, the kids of America SCORES LA are staying busy and staying active. We are offering a summer camp free of charge for about 100 SCORES poet-athletes. The camp started on Tuesday, July 6th and will continue until July 30th. Monday through Friday, the kids are being engaged both in the classroom and on the soccer field.

Inside, the kids have already learned about the World Cup and they've chosen a participating country to represent. With markers, paint, and crayons the SCORES students made flags for their country and came up with interesting facts to write on the back. On the last day of camp the kids will proudly march their flags around Palms Elementary and enjoy a multi-cultural fair with food from all around the world. There are also stations available everyday in the classroom with volunteer tutors who provide homework help and activities for the kids in math and reading.

Outside, the kids are improving their soccer skills by breaking up into small groups for games and drills and coming together for scrimmages. Summer camp provides the student-athletes who play with their school team during the SCORES season with the opportunity to meet and play with kids from other elementary schools in the Palms community. On Friday, all of the kids look forward to playing outside as the coaches incorporate some way for the kids to get wet.

The summer programming wouldn't be possible without the help from all of our volunteers. Mainly high school students and alumni, the volunteers act as assistant coaches, homework tutors, and mentors for the SCORES elementary students. If you're interested in volunteering contact Natalie at (310) 204-6455.

LA SCORES Poet-Athlete Published

Saturday, June 27th the Los Angeles Times published a poem from Kamari R. in its "Creativity Corner" section. Kamari was one of our chosen poets to represent America SCORES LA at the National Poetry SLAM! which took place this past April in New York. The published work "Sometimes Life Just Isn't Fair" is about her inspirations and future dreams, and was the poem she performed at the National SLAM!

Kamari has just finished 5th grade at Charnock Road Elementary and will be starting middle school in September. She has participated in LA SCORES since 3rd grade and has written many wonderful poems for the program in that time. To read Kamari's poem, visit the Los Angeles Times "Creativity Corner" Website below.

Creativity Corner - June 27, 2010