By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

The Dynamic Development Soccer Camp is coming back to Oak Mountain High School soon. From June 22-26, children aged 5-12 are welcome to take part in the day camp put on by Oak Mountain High School boys soccer coach Daniel DeMasters.

DeMasters just finished his second season as the head coach of the boys soccer program, and led the Eagles to a 7A state championship and overall No. 1 ranking in the state. He has been involved with summer soccer camp since his youth in Pennsylvania, and brings a wealth of knowledge and charisma to the field.

“I’ve been a part of the longest running youth camp in the country in Pennsylvania,” DeMasters said. “I ran that camp for two summers and brought the blueprint down here. We had a good turnout the first year. It’s so much fun.”

The first year saw 35 kids come out, and DeMasters said there are roughly 50 who have signed up so far this year.

“It’s growing,” he said. “We had a lot of people last year say they couldn’t wait to come back next year.

“It’s a balance between fun and soccer,” DeMasters went on to say. “We want to develop these kids by teaching them good soccer skills but also we want to do fun stuff. We have things like Wacky Wednesday and bubble blowing contests to make it more fun.”

The camp, which runs from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, has two levels. The regular campers price is $220 for the week, while the elite camper experience is $245 for the week. “It’s the cheapest camp for what you get,” DeMasters said. “I know for a fact, at least everyone I’ve touched base with in the area, it’s the cheapest camp for what you get.”

DeMasters brings in Oak Mountain High School alumni who play Division I, II or III level soccer to help run the camps. The camp is open to all kids, not just those involved in the Oak Mountain school system.

“We’ve reached out to Pelham, Chelsea, Helena, Vestavia, Mountain Brook and other communities,” DeMasters said. “This isn’t just a camp for Oak Mountain kids.”

For more information on the camp and for a place to register, visit Dynamicdevelopmentcamps.com or email d2camps@gmail.com with any questions.