St. Cloud COP House Soccer Camp A Huge Success

(KNSI) – The first weeklong soccer camp help by the St. Cloud Rotary Community OutPost, or COP House is a hit.

More than 120 boys and girls ranging from six to 13 years old took part in the free camp held at Haws Park, across from the St. Cloud COP House.

Sargent Ryan Sayer with the St. Cloud Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit says there are more camps in the works.

“I think it’s going to get bigger. This was a huge success. We had a ton of sponsors. I tell you what, the soccer community in this area is absolutely amazing. They’ve really come through for us.”

He says holding a soccer camp seemed like a natural fit because officers see it happening around the COP House every day.

“We see kids out playing soccer, in our yard, in the park, and in all the different apartment complex parking lots. Wherever there’s space, there’s usually kids playing soccer down here. So, we wanted to bring a camp experience to the St. Cloud area to this neighborhood for free. And that’s what we did.”

Sayer says holding the camp is about connecting with the community they serve.

“And just building those relationships is just so important. And if we can get these kids to have a positive experience with us as officers, that’s going to, down the road, that’s going to help us.”

Kids got coached by area soccer players, including team members from the St. Cloud State University men’s and women’s soccer teams, St. John’s men’s team, plus young men and women from area teams from St. Cloud Tech, St. Cloud Apollo, St. Cloud Cathedral, and Sauk Rapids.

Eight SCPD officers also took part in the camp.

The COP House Soccer Camp teamed up with the Tony Sanneh Foundation to keep the camp free. Sanneh is a retired professional soccer player who was born in St. Paul.

Each kid got a soccer ball, water bottle, and t-shirt for free.

Another camp is being planned for the fall.

In August, the St. Cloud COP House will be the site of a National Night Out event, a community basketball tournament, and a night at the park with a free community movie.

Learn more about what the COP House is doing in St. Cloud by clicking here.