Help Empower Young Girls Through Soccer – Support Columbia County Soccer Camp

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

We are a group of volunteer coaches and chaperones in Columbia County, NY, working together to create meaningful opportunities for girls in our community through the game of soccer. Columbia County Soccer Camp (CCSC) is more than just a camp—it’s a chance for girls ages 11–18 to grow as athletes, as students, and as confident young women ready to take on the world!

We accomplish this in 2 ways. First, we partnered with one of the top girl’s soccer academies in the country, Berkshire Soccer Academy. Through our partnership, and with the generous support of local families and a few incredible scholarships from Berkshire Soccer Academy (They offered us 2 full scholarships (value of $2.2k each for 5 days) and 4 at $1,500), we were able to send six girls to their overnight soccer camp. At camp, they had the opportunity to be trained by some of the best soccer players and coaches in the country. For many of them, it was their first time away from home, their first time in an intensive sports environment, and a rare opportunity to be immersed in a positive, empowering space just for girls. The transformation was immediate and lasting.

Second, again partnering with Berkshire Soccer Academy, and by the skin of our teeth, we created Columbia County Soccer Camp (CCSC), a 2 night, 3 day camp at their facilities that enabled 21 girls in our area to attend overnight soccer camp. Volunteers covered deeply discounted expenses and stepped in to coach, chaperone, and support the girls. It was an incredible team effort, made possible by a passionate community that believes in these young women.

Our players come from a rural, working-class area where many families struggle to make ends meet. Over 50% of students in the local schools are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged and rely on federal programs for free meals. The effects of rising housing and food costs have hit this community hard, and opportunities like summer camps and even college are often out of reach. Through our program, both become possible.

Despite the challenges, these girls are resilient, motivated, and eager to learn. They show up every day with a desire to grow—not just in soccer, but in life. That’s why we created Columbia County Soccer Camp: to give them access to high-quality training, life skills, and experiences that expand their view of what’s possible.

At CCSC, we coach the whole player—focusing not just on soccer skills and sportsmanship, but also on physical and mental health, nutrition, rest, kindness, teamwork, and self-confidence. We empower young women to understand what it means to be part of a team, how to support each other on and off the field, and how to build habits that will serve them for a lifetime.

Now, we want to do it again—but we can’t do it without your help.

These girls deserve the same opportunities as any other young athlete. Soccer is more than a sport for them—it’s a gateway to confidence, leadership, community, and even higher education. In areas like ours, where exposure to women in leadership roles is limited, we believe sports can be a powerful force for change.

Your donation will help us:

• Provide full and partial scholarships to girls to attend Berkshire Soccer Academy's acclaimed girls soccer camp.

• Fund a 2-night 3-day sleepaway soccer camp at Berkshire Soccer Academy

• Cover food, transportation, gear, and other camp-related costs

• Offer every player, regardless of income, the chance to experience growth, mentorship, and team bonding

No donation is too small—just $65 sends one girl to CCSC. Every dollar brings us closer to helping more girls step into their strength and their potential.

Here’s how your donation can help:

• $25 buys a soccer ball

• $40 buys a set of team pinnies

• $75 sends one girl to our local 3-day, 2 night soccer camp

• $150 covers meals and transportation for a camper

• $400 buys 1 girl a top notch, Division 1 coach and recruiter as a consultant for 1 year to help them get a soccer scholarship to attend college

• $900 funds a player’s attendance at one of the top Goalie Camps in the country, Star Goalkeeper Academy

• $1,000 funds 1 girls’ participation in the Olympic Development Program (ODP)

• $2,200 provides a full scholarship to Berkshire Soccer Academy for a 5 day stay

• $3,000 sends 1 girl to Europe to play internationally in an ODP – ID camp, where international colleges and universities recruit from

Help offer every player, regardless of income, the chance to experience growth, mentorship, and team bonding.

We’re a small group doing big things with limited resources—and we believe in the power of community to lift these young women up. With your help, we can make a lasting difference in their lives.

Thank you for supporting Columbia County Soccer Camp!

— Columbia County Soccer Camp

Volunteer-Led | Community-Powered | Future-Focused