The Detroit Lions/Ford Field organization introduces the Detroit Lions Youth Football Initiative, a state-wide venture designed for the positive development of the lives of Michigan’s youth through the sport of football.

Summer Football Camps

The Detroit Lions will conduct a minimum of 9 Youth Football Camps around the state of Michigan during the summer of 2008. Boys & girls ages 6-14 are eligible for participation. Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps are non-contact, fundamental football camps designed to improve a child’s beginning, intermediate, or advanced skill level. Fundamentals of all positions on offense, defense and special teams will be taught in addition to life skills such as teamwork, communication, sportsmanship and the importance of education. Participants will be grouped based on age and skill level. For information on 2008 Detroit Lions Summer Youth Football Camps, please provide your name, mailing address, and phone number. You may e-mail information to Chris Fritzsching, Director of Youth Football, at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

 

Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps 2008

Week #1 June 9-12, 2008 Jenison Jenison H.S. 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #2 June 16-19, 2008 Grand Blanc Grand Blanc H.S. 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #3 (Sold out!) June 23-26, 2008 Detroit Ford Field 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #3 (Just added!) June 23-26, 2008 Detroit Ford Field 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Week #4 June 30 - July 3, 2008 Traverse City Traverse City West Jr. High 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #5 July 7-10, 2008 Plymouth Central Middle School 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Just Added!
Quarterback-Wide Receiver Academy		 July 12-13, 2008 Grand Rapids MVP Fieldhouse 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #6 July 14-17, 2008 Chesterfield L'Anse Creuse Middle School East 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #7 July 21-24, 2008 Howell Howell H.S. 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #8 July 28-31, 2008 Lake Orion Lake Orion High School 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Week #9 August 4-7, 2008 Lansing Waverly H.S.
(New 4-day camp location!)		 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon

  Click here to download a 2008 Summer Camp Registration Form (PDF)
  Click here to download the just-added 2008 Detroit Lions Youth Football Camp-Detroit PM session Registration Form (PDF)
  Click here to download the just-added 2008 Detroit Lions Quarterback-Wide Receiver Academy Registration Form (PDF)

Educational School Assemblies

Exciting, interactive 45 minute elementary school assemblies will address topics critical to today’s youth. The latest school assembly program, “Lions L.E.A.D.ers for Life” (Leadership, Educational, and Athletic Development), is designed to discuss the development of character, academic, and athletic values through goal setting. Leadership qualities acquired in one setting often transcend into other scenarios and are stepping stones to a child becoming more positive, confident, and successful. The objective of the program is to utilize football as an avenue to convey these life-skills
in a fun and educational forum. Assemblies are held September-April of each school year and are conducted by Chris Fritzsching, Director of Youth Football, and Roary, the Lions Mascot. For more information, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

 


Year-Round Youth Football Fundamentals Clinics

Detroit Lions Youth Football Clinics have been created to provide fundamental football education on quarterback and wide receiver play. Clinics can be conducted on a year-round basis for your youth football organization, parks & recreation department, community service group, fitness facility or health club. These 90 minute clinics provide a good foundation of two of the most exciting positions in football: quarterback and wide receiver. Boys & girls ages 6-14 are eligible to participate.

Detroit Lions Coaching Academy
The Detroit Lions, the National Football League, and the National Football Foundation have embarked on an exciting football education program aimed at elevating the quality of coaching at the youth, middle and high school levels across the state of Michigan.

For more information on the Detroit Lions Coach Academy 2008, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Skill Development Sessions

Take your game to the next level!  Sign up for Detroit Lions Skill Development Sessions (SDS)!  Conducted by Chris Fritzsching, Director of Detroit Lions Youth Football, these one-hour sessions include detailed, one-on-one, position-specific instruction at the position of your choice and video analysis. Video analysis will allow for individual evaluation and comparison to other football players, which will aid in the overall development of the participant.  Participants will receive a DVD of their SDS for future evaluation. 

SDS are conducted year-round for children ages 6-18 at a location to be mutually agreed upon.  Inquire about the possibility of conducting your SDS at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions and Super Bowl XL!

For more information on rates and availability or to reserve your Detroit Lions Skill Development Session, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Halftime Youth Football Games

Sign your youth football team up to play at Ford Field during halftime of a Detroit Lions game!  Your 7, 8, 9 or 10 year old team will be fully padded and scrimmage another youth football team of the same age and weight in front of 65,000 fans!  Typically 2 to 5 Halftime Youth Football games are conducted each Detroit Lions season.  Game dates are selected during June & July.  Teams are selected during August each year.   

October 21, 2007 - Beach Youth Football vs. Walled Lake Braves

November 4, 2007 - North Muskegon Youth Football vs. Temperance T-Birds 

For more information on how your youth football team can play at halftime, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

High School Football 7-on-7 Passing Tournaments

There is more high school football at Ford Field than just the Michigan High School Football State Finals!  7-on-7 Passing Tournaments are conducted every summer at Ford Field for high school football teams of all divisions.  This double elimination tournament will crown a champion and is open to the first 12 varsity football teams to register.  Tournaments are held every June or July!

June 22, 2007 Champion — Warren Cousino High School

For more information on Detroit Lions High School Football 7 on 7 Passing Tournaments, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Youth Football Forum

The Detroit Lions Youth Football Forum, which kicked off in February 2005, is designed to discuss issues critical to the day to day operation of youth football conferences, organizations, and teams.  The purpose of the Youth Football Forum is to allow for discussion of key topics, meet new league representatives and share innovative ideas with the hope of gathering new programs, concepts and rules for the betterment of the youth football experience. 

The 2006 Youth Football Forum consists of 39 representatives from 25 different leagues around the state of Michigan. These particular leagues represent over 51,000 children participating in youth football.

Mission Statement: "The Detroit Lions Youth Football Forum is a representation of leaders within Michigan's youth football community that meet regularly to discuss and exchange information for the betterment of the youth football experience for participants, coaches, parents, and fans. Our mission is to help make the youth football experience educational, inspirational, competitive, and most importantly, fun for all involved."

For more information on how you can become a part of the Detroit Lions Youth Football Forum, please call (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com.

Teamwork Award

The Detroit Lions would like to recognize youth football teams and their head coaches around the state of Michigan not only for their success on the field, but more importantly, for their success off the field.  Developing student/athletes to be their very best on the football field, in the classroom and in the community is an important component of the coaching profession. 

Nominate a youth football organization and coach for the Detroit Lions Youth Football Teamwork Award.  Weekly winners receive a $500 grant from Detroit Lions Charities and the NFL Youth Football Fund. Winners are awarded every week September-October.

For more information, call Detroit Lions Youth Football at (313) 262-2248 or e-mail at cfritzsching@detroitlions.com. 

For more information on how to book a Detroit Lions Youth Football Program for your community or for more information, please contact:

Chris Fritzsching
Director of Youth Football
(313) 262-2248
cfritzsching@detroitlions.com