Hundreds of young soccer players will learn new skills on the field and enjoy funny skits off the field at the 18th Annual C3 Soccer Camp.

The free camp at The Linsly School soccer fields is open to children ages 4 to 10. It will be held at 6 p.m. from Sunday, June 15, to Tuesday, June 17.

The first hour of the camp will be dedicated to soccer instruction. Children will be split into three different age divisions of 4 to 5, 6 to 7 and 8 to 10.

Younger age groups will learn basic foot skills to become more comfortable on the ball. Older age groups will participate in scrimmages and other games.

Camp Director Jason Adams said they will accommodate children of any skill level, including those new to the sport.

“This will be an introduction to soccer for some campers, which is great,” Adams said. “We want them to come and experience the game in a fun way. All the games will be tailored to the lowest common denominator so anyone can feel comfortable coming to learn the game and get basic skills.

Adams said volunteers with a “good range of soccer experience” will help campers during sessions. This includes local high school and club players and coaches.

Other volunteers from the community and C3 Christ Community Church will assist with security, registration and organizing campers.

After players have spent some time on the ball, the campers will gather to sing songs and watch skits performed by chaperones. C3 pastors will then divide the campers into age groups again to share an age-appropriate story about Jesus.

The camp will conclude with players receiving a popsicle for the road.

Parents can register players at c3wheeling.com. Walk-ins are also welcome. Players must wear closed-toed shoes to the camp. Participants are welcome to bring their soccer balls.

Over 250 children have registered for the camp, and C3 Pastor Adam Mick anticipates that about 300 players will participate. With parents and other family members also in attendance, Adams estimated that roughly 1,000 people will gather at the Linsly soccer fields during camp sessions.

“We typically get quite a bit more players registering the week of the camp, so it takes an army of volunteers from the church and community to make the camp happen,” Mick said. “We just love being able to come together and serve in this way, so the more the merrier.”

Adams said they were proud to have so many families participate in the camp. He noted that many children do not get to go to summer camps.

“Getting the chance to offer a free safe spot for kids to come out and have fun for three nights is really cool,” Adams said. “We have a soccer camp because it’s a low-barrier to entry, so it’s super easy for kids of all skill levels to come and have fun. Even if they’ve never touched a soccer ball before, we will provide an hour of fun where they can learn a thing or two.”

Mick said the camp also brings the community together. He noted that parents often connect with each other while their kids are on the field.

“People who haven’t seen each other in a really long time connect while their kids are playing, so it’s almost like a neighborhood or community gathering,” Mick said.

Adams added that there are now coaches and volunteers at the camp who were once players.

“We’ve come so far with the camp that over the 18 years we’ve held it, there are now kids who started in our smallest age group that are helping out as coaches,” Adams said. “It’s been really cool to see how the camp has developed and keeps giving back to itself.”

In the event of inclement weather, the camp will be moved indoors to Linsly’s Stifel Field House.