The Stars of Berky

Life at Berky

Holly, 15, who resides in Quebec, Canada, attended the Varsity program in 2018, which was her 5th summer at Berky.

Berky Fun Facts

Favorite Bunk: Cabin Brian

Favorite Coach: AJ

Favorite Elective:  Cooking and Arts & Crafts

Fun Fact: I was in the group of the first four Canadians to attend Berky.

How Did You Find Berky: Through an online search.  I introduced camp to many of my friends.

Berky Posters:  Holly designed three custom Berky posters, which sold out of the Berky store.

Where Is She Now?

Holly is a midfielder for NDG, a team in the Québec Elite Soccer League (AAA), which is the province’s top league. At school, in addition to soccer, she plays basketball and flag football and loves riding horses. Holly also plays on a FUTSAL team (FC Sporting) which travels to the USA to compete. She coaches her younger sister’s 9-year-old competitive team, and during the summer she coaches at a local soccer development camp.  Her goal is to play soccer in the USA and to make the Canadian National Team.

Holly has her own Etsy store where she sells posters that contain motivational soccer quotes.

Reflecting on Berky

“Berky hasn’t just made me a better soccer player.  It’s made me a more confident person. I used to be a shy person.  On the field, I didn’t try new things – I’d be terrified to make mistakes. Berky lowers the pressure. It’s easy to try new things there, and you don’t have to worry about making mistakes.  By the time you get home, you’ve made those mistakes and know how to do it better when you get home. The mindset carries over when I come home.  Now, I try moves that I haven’t tried before. I’ll take on players. I’ll try a move a couple of times in practice before I try it in a game. Because I know that if I fail, it’s OK.  I know why I failed and I’ll do it better the next time. This mindset carries over into all aspects of my life.”

Life at Berky

Sami, 17, spent her fourth summer at Berky in 2018, attending the Varsity Session.

Berky Fun Facts

Favorite Bunk: Pugh

Favorite Coaches: AJ, Maggie, Rachel and Hannah

Favorite Camp Food: Fruit

Favorite Elective: Arts and Crafts

How Did You Find Berky:  One of my soccer teammates was going and didn’t want to go alone so I went with her.  Little did I know that everything I saw and read on the website would be true, and I would immediately feel at home and want to return for even more weeks the following summers!

Where Is She Now?

Sami is a Senior at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY. She is a student in the L.I.F.E. School, an alternative program for Juniors and Seniors within Greeley, with a focus on small group discussion, and complete hands on learning. Sami is a defender on the Varsity Soccer team and loves spending time with her teammates both on and off the field. A great deal of Sami’s time is spent as a Volunteer Firefighter. Sami has  completed 200+ hours of training, including NYS Firefighter 1. She has also volunteered for V.I.P. Soccer and V.I.P. Dance; programs which provide “buddies” for special needs kids playing soccer and learning dance.

Sami hopes to attend college in New England next year, and credits Berky for her love of that part of the country. Possible areas of study include Communications, Journalism and Public Relations.

Reflecting on Berky

Sami discovered her greatness at BSA in the summer of 2017. This was the summer before she tried out for her High School Varsity team.  Coach Jeb helped Sami set aside her nerves and focus on having fun with her friends. One thing that Coach Jeb said really stuck with her and  boosted her confidence before tryouts. He said, “Don’t let anyone take your power.” This along with the constant love and support from her second family at BSA impacted Sami more than words can say.

Life at Berky

In 2018 Sarah, 15, attended our Varsity Session.  It was her fourth summer at Berky.

Berky Fun Facts

Favorite Bunk: Morgan L & R

Favorite Coach:  Maggie & AJ

Favorite Food:   Cook Out BBQ

Favorite Elective:  Cooking

How did you find Berky?   Searching soccer-related sites on the Internet.  One of my teammates recommended it.

Where Is She Now?

Sarah is a Sophomore at St. Anthony’s High School, a private Catholic School in Huntington, New York.  She carries a 4.0 average and takes all Honors classes. Sarah plays for Farmingdale Stars United, a Girls U17 Showcase team (she is playing a year above her “soccer age”).  She wants to play college soccer while pursuing her dream of becoming a Pediatric Surgeon.

Reflecting on Berky

“I am my truest self whenever I am at Berky.  It is the most welcoming, loving place on the entire planet. I always make the best memories when I’m  there and always look forward to returning. Berky is my home away from home, and I love and cherish it with all my heart.”