Skidmore varsity soccer players Pete Brownell and Chris Markham were musing about their post-graduate plans this past winter when Chris pitched the idea of working with the organization Soccer Without Borders, a nonprofit in which his sister is involved.

	Pete Brownell, left, and Chris Markham" hspace="" src="http://cms.skidmore.edu/news/admin/news/images/brownell_markham_1.jpg" width="200" border="1" />
	Pete Brownell, left, and Chris Markham

Says Brownell, a senior co-captain from Ridgewood, N.J., "I loved it right from the start, and I figured the best way we could help was to make a financial donation. Doing a camp for kids at Skidmore seemed like the perfect way to raise money." Added Markham, a senior from Watertown, Mass., "Soccer has added so much to our lives, and we wanted to share that experience with the younger generation. To do something that is good for our local community and raise money for communities elsewhere without our level of resources is a positive thing for everyone."

Soccer Without Borders is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that operates in the U.S. and internationally. Staffed entirely by volunteers, its mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of marginalized youth. In partnership with communities, the organization creates programs that reinforce the importance of young people making healthy choices for their futures.

Flash forward to the morning of April 15 on Skidmore's Wachenheim Field, the home turf for the varsity men's and women's soccer teams. Brownell, Markham, and a dozen or so of their peers were there, along with 100 youth soccer players from across the Capital Region (including Albany, Greenwich, Schuylerville, and Saratoga Springs). A regular academic day for the Skidmore student-athletes, it was school vacation week for the kids, who ranged in age from 8 to 14. Laughed Brownell, "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." He and Markham had received so much interest in their camp that they had to halt signups at the century mark a full week ahead of the camp's start date.

For the next four days, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the young players participated in skills sessions and games under the positive guidance of college players who were suddenly running a full-fledged camp. They had anticipated 30 or so 8 to 9-year-olds. Fortunately, they had a little help. They had recruited Skidmore varsity soccer coaches Sarah Cooper and Ron McEachen and assistant men's soccer coach Mick Gregg as special guests.

By all accounts, the four-day camp was a huge success. With each camper contributing $50, the organizers raised $4,650 for Soccer Without Borders, money which will sustain programming in Uganda for two years as well as a startup program for a charter school in downtown Boston.

Beyond the money, the campers had a lot of fun. Wrote one parent, "My daughter had a great time. She has always been concerned about going to camp and being around so many strangers. She came home every day telling me how great the coaches were and what a great time she had. She can't wait to attend more soccer camps." Wrote another, "You were all so amazing with the kids. I am more than impressed! I hope you know just how much of a positive impact you had on the children who attended the camp."

Other parents were especially pleased about the role modeling their kids got. Said one, "The students of Skidmore deserve kudos for all their hard work. They are truly putting all their heart into this charity through soccer. They are wonderful examples for us. They are witnessing firsthand how to give to good causes, while doing something that you love. In the meantime, they are receiving great soccer training."

For Brownell, Markham, and the rest of their gang, the week gave them an early taste of summer-playing soccer every day in the warm sun. Participating students included Dana Brill, Anna Cerio, Blair Costello, Jake Densen, Silas Doyle-Burr, Park Dunn-Morrison, Chris Fincke, Elizabeth Gropman, Matt Kelsey, Ian McGregor, Shane Minte, Jessica Morten, Albert Ottati, Sarah Pociask, Kevin Regan, Mark Roseboom, Amanda Roth, Lindsay Schmitt, Rachael Sushner, Ty Thiele, and Doug Yeates.

Now Brownell and Markham are focused on turning the camp into an annual event, something younger Skidmore soccer players and the varsity coaches are keen on. Stay tuned. It could be the start of another Skidmore tradition.

For more information on Soccer Without Borders, visit the organization's Web site.