'I like learning new things': Marshfield Hurricane football players get kids moving at summer camp

Katherine Canniff, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

MARSHFIELD – The semi-professional football players of the Marshfield Hurricanes and members of the Massachusetts National Guard towered over the herds of 5- to 13-year-old campers at the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, guiding them through relay races and obstacle courses.

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield hosted a football clinic on Friday, Aug. 5 during the final weeks of  a 10-week summer program. Attendance at this year's camp almost doubled from last year with 220 campers, up from 130 in 2021. The kids hail from towns across the South Shore.

Sam Stevens, 6, practices his punting at the Marshfield Boys and Girls Club Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
Sam Stevens, 6, practices his punting at the Marshfield Boys and Girls Club Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

The Hurricanes, who play in the semi-professional East Coast Football League, came to town Friday to teach the campers throwing and catching skills and held relay races.

Madeline Frank, 8, of Marshfield, said she enjoyed cheering on her teammates in the relay races.

"It's pretty fun and I like learning new things, especially sports," Madeline said.

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Sean Blanchard, general manager of the Marshfield Hurricanes, said he hopes the campers learned about the sport of football and he was  happy to see both boys and girls playing out on the field.

"We also really want them to have fun," Blanchard said.

Colleen Benedict, camp director, said the clinics are fun and  an opportunity to promote fitness.

"We really like the kids to be active in the summer," Benedict said.

Emryn Rose, 5, runs with the football.
Emryn Rose, 5, runs with the football.

The Massachusetts National Guard members brought an inflatable  obstacle course.  Campers ducked through tunnels, swung on ropes and cruised down slides.

Carter Flaherty, 5, of Pembroke, said that the obstacle course was his favorite activity .

Sgt. Matthew Russell, Army National Guard recruiter, said  this is the second year they have run the clinic.

"It connects both the Hurricanes and the National Guard to the community," Russell said.

Campers were divided by age  and 5- to 6-year-old campers  practiced basic skills.  Kids ages 7- to 8 year-old  competed in relay races, and 9- to 13 year-olds  learned more advanced skills and maneuvers.

Billy Kerrigan, 7, of Marshfield, said he was excited to do the football drills and wants to play football when he is older.

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Jim Bunnell, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, said the camp focuses on being an inclusive space.He reaches out to local organizations to help cover the cost of the camp for some of the children.

Bunnell said that connecting with other community groups to support the campers "is a top priority."

"We're building a culture of fun, trust, and respect and developing a culture of feeling safe, where kids can come in an express themselves," Bunnell said. 

For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, visit bgcmarshfield.org. 

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To reach Katherine Canniff, email kcanniff@patriotledger.com

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Marshfield Hurricane football players get kids moving at summer camp