East Mountain High School to Host 3rd Annual Youth Soccer Camp

SANDIA PARK, N.M. — East Mountain High School head boys soccer coach Colton Oord is looking to bridge the gap between high school stars and the next generation of players as the school prepares for its 3rd Annual EMHS Soccer Camp this June.

The week-long summer camp, scheduled for June 1-5, 2026, at the Vista Grande Soccer Field (EMHS Field), offers specialized training for both elementary and middle school-aged athletes. According to Oord, the event is about more than just drills; it is about building community and instilling a lifelong passion for the sport.

“Some of that camp is made for skill, but also some of it’s just trying to instill a love for soccer and wanting to play more,” Oord said.

The camp is uniquely structured to give younger players a chance to learn directly from local high school athletes. The morning session, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon, is designed for elementary students entering 1st through 5th grades. These sessions are led by varsity and junior varsity players who work one-on-one with the children.

Oord noted that the experience provides a “full circle moment” for his high school players.

“I think it feels a little more exciting and real for them that they’re kind of that person at the high school that kids are looking up to,” Oord said. “They reflect back on maybe some of the guys that they had growing up.”

The high schoolers also gain a newfound appreciation for the challenges of coaching. “They’ll come back and be like, ‘Man, the kids aren’t doing this or that.’ I’m like, ‘Now you guys understand how I feel!'” Oord joked. “But they do a good job with them. They’re patient, and it’s a lot of fun.”

The evening session, held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., focuses on middle school students entering 6th through 8th grades. Unlike the morning session, these trainings are led by Oord and his assistant coaching staff to provide more tactical, high-school-level skill development.

Oord emphasized that early exposure to the game is critical due to the unique technical demands of soccer.

“Even if you’re not playing at a super high level when you’re younger, just playing with the ball and getting used to touches and using both feet goes a long way,” Oord said. “Fundamentals go a long way as they get older and we start to focus more on tactical pieces.”

Last year’s camp saw strong participation, with approximately 45 elementary students and 30 middle schoolers attending. The camp is open to athletes from any school district.

Registration Details:

• Dates: June 1-5, 2026
• Location: Vista Grande Soccer Field (EMHS Field)
• Elementary Camp (Grades 1-5): 9 a.m. – Noon | $150
• Middle School Camp (Grades 6-8): 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | $80
• Included: EMHS Camp T-shirt

Interested families can register by scanning the QR code on the official flyer or by visiting the registration link at https://forms.gle/4hyDN5jF9g1WNnYf7. For more information, contact Coach Oord at coord@eastmountainhigh.net