2024 Session I with TeamFirst Photos & Videos!

2024 Session I with TeamFirst Highlight Video

TeamFirst Returns to Berky for Their 10th Summer!

TeamFirst (Mia HammKristine Lilly, and Tisha Venturini Hoch) return to the Berkshire Soccer Academy for their 10th year to offer a once-in-a-lifetime overnight soccer camp experience. They, along with University of Texas Women’s Head Coach Ange Kelly led on-field training and a soccer tournament during Session I. TeamFirst helps girls cultivate a sense of self-worth in order to reach their full potential in life. Athletes come to TeamFirst to learn, work, compete, and have fun, and to play with love and respect for the game.

Session I with TeamFirst Photo Gallery and Daily Updates

 

Sunday: Soccer Camp Arrival

Thank you to the families for making Arrival Day a smooth one. The girls started their day meeting their cabinmates and counselors while enjoying some fun games (fun games) on the rec deck

Mental Skills, Training & Electives

Campers had a great first day on and off the fields. They had their first mental skills session where the day’s theme was “Consistency.” They focused on the importance of habits, consistency in their approach to games and practices, and how these behaviors influence performance. On the fields, their first soccer session focused on small-sided play and settling in. Campers enjoyed their first elective period where they got to cool down at Larkum Lake and try out our new Lake Toy and many other fun elective options!

Opening Campfire

Campers had a great first day on the fields in their first soccer session of the week. They also had their first elective period where they had the opportunity to cool down at Larkum Lake and try out our new Lake Toy! Sunday evening campers gathered around the firepit for our Opening Campfire. Staff shared a variety of skits and songs. This sets the tone for the week, to show campers that Berky is a safe place to develop on and off the field, take chances and have fun!  

Monday: Starting Soccer Training and Electives

Campers enjoyed their first soccer session with TeamFirst. The theme today is “BE a PERSONALITY”. The session focused on Mia Hamm’s strengths as a Personality on the field. The session included technical warm-up, technical training, and 1v1 and 2v2 training.

 

Autographs & Photo Booth with TeamFirst

Campers get to snap a pic and get an item autographed by USWNT Legends Mia, Tish & Lil. 

Cabin Cup

Our Berky Girls get the chance to compete with their cabinmates and counselors for our coveted Cabin Cup! This week Cabin Swanson took home the cup for Upper Camp and Cabin Sauerbrunn took home the cup for Lower Camp. The girls had a blast competing in “The Hunger Games.”

 

Tuesday: Player Development at Berky

Campers enjoyed their morning soccer session with TeamFirst. The theme today is “BE a PLAYMAKER”. The session focused Kristine Lilly and Tisha Hoch’s playmaking strengths on the field. The session included ball work, passing and possession.

 

More Elective Fun!

Campers had a blast with elective activities, including cooking savory sushi, making foil s’mores, and preparing chips and salsa. In Arts and Crafts, they enjoyed creating bunting and friendship bracelets. Of course, outdoor adventures like hiking and fire-building were also big hits with the campers. One of our campers also caught the first fish of the summer!

 

Berky Tourney

Campers had a BLAST (literally) at our Tuesday night Berky Tourney. The theme this week was Outerspace. Team Star Wars took home the Tourney Trophy for Upper Camp and Team Aliens took home the trophy for Lower Camp. 

Wednesday: Girls Soccer Training and (S’)more

Campers spent the morning on the soccer fields for another high energy training session. Coaches led the campers through high-intensity drills, emphasizing footwork, precision passing, and strategic plays. The girls tackled each exercise with enthusiasm, showing skill and sportsmanship. Scrimmages brought out their competitive spirit as they dribbled, passed, and scored with determination.

Closing Campfire

Welcome to the Luau Party! Campers roasted marshmallows for s’mores and relaxed by the Closing Campfire. Campers and staff got to enjoy cabin skits from our campers who stepped on staged and performed! 

Thursday: Final Training Sessions & Electives

What a memorable week it has been! Each cabin met for pictures. The campers enjoyed some morning electives and soccer to close out a fun-filled week. Check out all of our group photos using the SmugMug link below.

Soccer Camp Departure

Coming Soon…

Bridge A

Bridges are designed to connect sessions and give athletes recovery time after or between sessions to optimize peak performance, avoid overexertion, and bond with other campers. Read more about the development of our bridge program and how it’s helping future athletes succeed.