Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Youth earn their way to football camp
The hard work: Nine youth raked leaves, picked up garbage and removed tree branches to raise money for camp. They are pictured here, from left to right- front row: Jacob Louters, Wyatt Dockter, Kendrick Hopfauf and Brody Weisenburger; back row: Bradyn Collier, Lucas Laducer, Lucas Yri, Kage Walford and Clay Dubois
The sweet reward: Six of the boys who worked to raise money and three of their friends attended UND Football Camp in Grand Forks June 4-6. They are pictured here in the team's practice facility, from left to right- Kendrick Hopfauf, Brody Weisenburger, Lucas Yri, Jacob Louters, Connor Knatterud, Alex Weisenburger, Kage Walford, Alex Knatterud and Lucas Laducer.
When a group of fifth and sixth grade boys at New Rockford-Sheyenne School decided they wanted to attend football camp at the University of North Dakota (UND) this summer, their parents didn't just shell out the money to send them like usual. Instead, several of them had the opportunity to learn a lesson about the importance of hard work and the value of a dollar by cleaning yards, picking up garbage and removing tree branches from fields in order to raise the money they needed for registration.
Reed Weisenburger said he came up with the idea because he thought it would be good for the kids to set a goal and earn their way through it. He coordinated the work schedule for his son Brody and his friends, and their hard work made the camp experience so much more memorable.
The group raised over $1,100 combined, and six of the kids were able to completely pay for their camp fees. They cleaned eight yards, picked up garbage along a 2 mile stretch of highway from Hwy. 15 to the Eagles Club and picked up tree branches where trees rows had been removed in farmers' fields.
The sweet reward for their hard work came June 4-6, as they headed Grand Forks for camp, where they got to meet Fighting Hawks head coach Bubba Schweigert. In his fifth season at UND, Schweigert is a University of Jamestown alumnus. Youth honed their skills by working with some of the UND players, including Noah Wanzek of Jamestown, Hunter Pinke of Wishek, Tank Harris of Chicago, Ill., Donnell Rodgers of Woodbury, Minn. and John Santiago of Andover, Minn.
Schweigert welcomed players to campus in the camp brochure. He wrote, "Once again we have a great assortment of camps to help prepare the players and coaches within our region and we would love to see you at Memorial Stadium this summer. As always, our goal is to provide you with an experience that will make you the best player or coach you can be. Members of the UND coaching staff will teach specialized skills and techniques that will improve your on-field performance. My staff will also provide insight on team strategies and unique mental approaches to help bring it all together as we gear towards the fall season."
Some of the kids are die-hard Bison fans, but that didn't stop them from traveling into rival Fighting Hawks territory, and the skills they learned both on and off the field will serve them well no matter which university they attend, or play for, in college.
Bradyn Collier, Clay Dubois and Wyatt Dockter also helped with the yard work, but were unable to make it to camp.
Tell us your story!
This summer, we plan to feature stories about kids in our community and the unique and rewarding ways they are spending their break from school. Each week we will look at a different activity, sport or event and the local kids engaged. Youth, their parents and community members are encouraged to submit stories, art and photos for inclusion in this eight-week series.
This section is sponsored by the following community-minded businesses: Central Pharmacy, Rockford Theatre, Do it Best Hardware/NAPA, Kickin Designs -N- Delights and Rockford Cafe, all of New Rockford. Please thank them for their support by shopping in their stores this summer and throughout the year.
