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Nike Football Skills Development Camp at Lake Forest Academy

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Camp Overview

IMPROVE YOUR GAME AND HAVE SERIOUS FUN

Join us for the inaugural Nike Football Skills Camp at Lake Forest Academy, a premier overnight or extended-day experience designed for beginner and intermediate athletes ages 8–14 (capped at incoming 8th graders). This first-year camp is built to help young players develop confidence, fundamentals, and a deeper understanding of the game in a fun, high-energy environment.

The camp is directed by Joel Beard, one of our top-rated Nike Football Camp Directors and a coach at College of DuPage, where he helped lead the program to a fifth consecutive NJCAA National Championship. Campers will be coached by a staff of regional collegiate and high school coaches, providing high-level instruction and mentorship.

Training will emphasize position-specific coaching, core fundamentals, football IQ, and competitive drills, all tailored to each athlete’s skill level. Campers can choose the overnight option or an extended-day experience, which includes evening activities like swimming, indoor turf games, and game nights.

Come ready to work hard, improve your game, and have a great time in a supportive, encouraging Nike Football Camp environment.

Highlights Include

  • Nike Football Camp T-Shirt and potentially other prizes!
  • Professional Instruction from Coach Beard and Staff
  • Daily Training to Develop Speed, Strength and Agility
  • Non-Contact Drills and Scrimmages
  • Players Grouped by Age and Ability
  • Discussions on Proper Technique and Concussion Safety 
  • Low Camper to Coach Ratios
  • Excellent Residential, Dining and Training Facilities

Camp Coaches

  • Joel Beard

    Joel Beard

    Director

    Joel Beard spent his first season on the COD staff in 2024. He has nine seasons of college coaching experience at UW Stout, Minnesota State-Moorhead, Southeast Missouri, and Missouri Western State.

    Joel Beard

    Joel Beard

    Director

    Experience

    • Served as interim head coach at Minnesota State-Moorhead
    • Seven seasons high school coaching
    • Seven years high school athletic administrator
    • Played football and basketball at UW Platteville
    • Member of two NCAA Division III basketball championship teams

    Education

    • Bachelor's degree, Wisconsin-Stout
    • Master's degree, American Intercontinental University

Camp Details

Instruction will develop fundamentals and advanced skills, focusing on footwork, offensive and defensive skills, team play, and game situations. You can expect high demand for these first come first serve camper spots, so please be sure to register early.

2026 SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION

  • Dates: June 8-11, 2026
  • Age Group: 8-14 ( no high school students)
  • Gender: Boys
  • Camp Type: Extended Day | Overnight

Camp Schedule:

  • Overnight Check in 12pm on June 8, Check out 12pm on June 11
  • Extended Day:
    • June 8 – 1pm - 9pm
    • June 9 – 9am – 9pm
    • June 10 – 9am – 9pm
    • June 11 – 9am - 12pm
    • Closing ceremony will be at 11:30am on June 11. All families are welcome to attend.

Meals:

  • June 8 – No lunch provided on day 1. Overnight check-in begins at 12pm. Extended day check in is at 1pm. First camp session will begin after check in is complete. Please consider eating lunch before you arrive. Dinner is provided to all campers.
  • June 9 & 10 – Overnight will be provided breakfast, lunch and dinner. Extended will be provided Lunch and Dinner
  • June 11 – Overnight will be provided breakfast. Camp ends immediately following the closing ceremony around 12pm. No lunch is provided on the last day.

Please note: Camp schedules and details may be subject to change.

HOUSING

  • Dorm: Warner Hall

  • Campers Per Room: Quad Rooms

  • Roommates: Rooms are assigned by age & roommate requests. Roommate requests must be received no later than 14 days before the start of camp. If you don't have a roommate request, you will be placed in a room with someone near your age. It will be a great opportunity to meet someone new!

  • Linens: Not included. Bring linens (Twin) or sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase, and a towel.

  • Air Conditioning: Yes

Please note housing is subject to change

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE FEE?

  • Daily Football Instruction
  • Supervision: Campers are supervised by staff during camp hours
  • Nike Football Camp T-Shirt and potentially other prizes!

INSTRUCTION & FACILITY

  • Ratio: 1:10 staff to camper ratio

  • Offensive Skills: Specific Position Skill Work, Hand-Eye Coordination, Ball Handling and Position, Passing Drills, Catching Drills, Proper Grip and Throwing, Running Routes

  • Defensive Skills: Specific Position Skill Work, Explanation of Defenses (Zone/Man-to-Man), Footwork

  • Groupings: Campers are grouped by ability, age, and experience, per the Director's discretion.

  • Facility: Outdoor Fields. Indoor facilities are available during inclement weather conditions.

Check-In will be at the football field entrance. Inclement weather location and instructions will be provided at check-in. Please make sure to have plenty of water and appropriate clothing.

PREPARE FOR CAMP: COMPLETE YOUR PRE-CAMP CHECKLIST

To view your customer account, complete your mandatory forms, pay balance dues, and review important camp information, visit Pre-Camp Checklist.

All necessary camp information is on this page. If there are any imperative changes prior to camp start, registered campers will be notified via email and this webpage will be updated!

CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING:

Below is a suggested list of clothes, equipment, and personal items. Please note that US Sports Camps does NOT provide equipment and is NOT responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.

This camp is NON-CONTACT

  • Small gym bag/backpack

  • Athletic clothing: t-shirt, shorts

  • Warm-up jacket

  • Cleats (NO metal-tip cleats) & sneakers

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle

  • Packed lunch and snacks

MEDICAL PROTOCOL

Most camps have an athletic trainer on-site to help with illness or injury. In case of an emergency, campers will be transported to the nearest hospital.

TRAVEL

Nike Football Camps does not provide transportation from airports, train stations or bus depots. If you have a child flying to camp, please arrange a shuttle or taxi service.

TEAM/GROUP DISCOUNT

If you have a team or group of 5 or more campers registering for the same camp, each camper may be eligible for a discount. To receive the group discount, please have someone email US Sports Camps at [email protected] with the following information: Camp name, list of camper names, and the number of campers. We will respond with a unique discount code for everyone in the group to use during online registration. *Note: Discount amounts vary by program, so please reach out for more details.

COMPANY POLICIES

For information regarding our cancellation policy and all other company policies, please visit USSC Policies.

NIKE FOOTBALL CAMP FAQ

For general questions about our football camps please see our FAQ page.

Camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.


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