H. Frank Carey hosts football camp

More than 50 kids from Franklin Square and Elmont gathered at the H. Frank Carey High School for a summer football camp with the Franklin Square/Elmont Police Activity League’s on July 23 to July 26. The Carey Seahawks’ head varsity coach Michael Stanley lead the camp as he had his players practice their drills while also teaching routine moves and exercises to the younger kids.

“We have kids from fifth through 12th grade here, and it lets my guys get ready for the upcoming season, while at the same time giving them a mentoring role to the younger players,” Stanley said.

Because students often leave for vacation during the summer or spend most of their time with friends and family, Stanley said players would get rusty. They need this program in order to get back in the game again, he said. The camp sees between 75 and 100 participants every year.

“It used to be that you had summer training to get a head start, but now you need to do this or else you’re playing catch-up with the other teams throughout the season,” Stanley added.

Nassau County’s PALs were started back in the 1940s as the Nassau County Police Boys Club under Police Commissioner Abraham Skidmore. The organization changed its name to NCPAL in 1987 to allow any child to join. The Franklin Square-Elmont PAL also sponsors lacrosse, basketball, tennis, soccer, flag football, tae kwon do, track, gymnastics and dance programs.