We’ve Expanded!
Due to the overwhelming interest in the Berkshire Soccer Academy’s July sessions, all spots—including waitlist options—are now full. While we are thrilled that so many soccer-loving girls want to be part of the Academy, we are concerned that many are missing the chance to discover their greatness both on and off the field. We can no longer accept this, and we are excited to announce the addition of three July sessions at our fantastic new overnight soccer camp facility located just 20 miles north of the original Otis camp.
The Plunkett Lake Academy is situated in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, on an 80-acre lake, just 30 minutes from Otis. The three sessions will run concurrently with Sessions 5, 6, and 7 in Otis. These sessions will take place from Sunday morning to Thursday afternoon on the following dates: July 13–17, July 20–24, and July 27–31.
They will offer the same unique Berky program, which includes twice-daily soccer training and elective sessions, along with all-camp evening activities such as opening and closing campfires and the Tuesday evening Berky tourney.
Additionally, the Plunkett Lake program will offer Bridge sessions from Thursday to Saturday between the first and second sessions and again between the second and third sessions. These Bridges will feature a Friday off-camp excursion and extended Saturday electives, allowing campers to participate in multiple sessions. Bridges may also be added to a single session.
Who will oversee the program at Plunkett Lake?
Senior Berky Staff members Isa Zanzini and Ainslie Mellon will oversee the Plunkett Lake program under the guidance of Berky Directors Katy Kreiner and Paul Titley.
Isa Zanzini Ainslie Mellon
Isa Zanzini has spent 6 years on the Academy’s staff, serving as Soccer Coordinator for the past 4. Isa currently coaches soccer at Smith College and is a certified sports performance specialist. Most importantly, she knows the Berky soccer program inside and out and is steeped in the Berky culture. Ainslie Mellon has spent 5 years on the Berky staff, the last 3 as a Residential Life Leader overseeing cabin counselors, handling interpersonal issues, liaising with parents and taking on a myriad of responsibilities around camp.
How will the Plunkett Lake experience differ from the Otis, Massachusetts experience?
Both programs share the same goal: to help athletes discover their greatness on and off the field and seek to do so by fostering skill development, helping athletes build meaningful relationships, and offering lots of opportunities for good, clean, healthy fun. Both programs’ high-quality staff are hired by the same people and receive the same training. The daily schedule and the time devoted to soccer, electives and special events are identical. Both facilities offer air-conditioned cabins with bathrooms and showers, and the food and health care are excellent at both.
The layout and elective offerings differ between the two facilities. The Otis facility is more spread out, requiring more transition time between soccer and elective periods as well as a hike up a steep hill to reach the soccer fields. At Plunkett Lake, cabins, electives and soccer are all within a five-minute walk. Elective offerings vary, with Otis offering cooking and fishing and Plunkett Lake offering pickleball. The Otis program serves 175 campers per session, while Plunkett Lake holds 110.
Visit our Plunkett Lake webpage to learn more about these new sessions. Please direct any questions to Katy Kreiner.
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