Led by veteran coach Tom Wender, the two-day camp will take place Wednesday and Thursday at Flivver Field at Kingsford High School. The first session is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a second session from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.

The camp is open to any high school football player interested in improving offensive and defensive fundamentals while gaining exposure to college coaches.

“I have about 15 college coaches coming, plus some area coaches,” Wender said. Among those attending is Michigan Technological University head coach Dan Mettlach and his coaching staff; two coaches from Northern Michigan University; three coaches from St. Norbert College including head coach Dan McCarty, and Joby Sullivan, who coaches at a Christian school in Kentucky.

Wender said one of the camp’s biggest advantages is the personal interaction between players and coaches.

The Yooper Football Camp is open to any high school football player interested in improving offensive and defensive fundamentals while gaining exposure to college coaches.

“The coaches get to know the kids on a personal basis, and you’re not just catering to the kids that are getting recruited,” he said. “Every kid gets coached.”

The camp has also developed a reputation for helping athletes continue their football careers at the collegiate level. Wender estimates that at least 60 participants have gone on to receive football or academic scholarships to colleges and universities since the camp was revived after his collegiate coaching career ended about 10 years ago.

“In that amount of time, we’ve had a lot of kids get opportunities,” he said. “One year we had 10 out of the 70 kids that year, so that was one out of seven receiving some type of offer — that’s pretty awesome.”

Beyond scholarship opportunities, Wender said the camp gives coaches another chance to evaluate players in person.

“It also gives them another chance to see them one-on-one and talk to them,” he said.

Wender emphasized that the camp focuses on teaching and skill development rather than conditioning.

“Our priority is to teach fundamentals and skills,” he said.

To ensure athletes receive instruction appropriate to their abilities, players are grouped according to their experience level. “We don’t expect an incoming freshman to be on the same pace as an athlete who has played football for four years,” he added.

The camp routinely attracts participants from throughout the Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin, in addition to local schools.

“On average, we get about 100 per year — that’s a good number,” Wender said.

While organizing the event requires considerable effort, Wender said the camp has never been about making money. “It’s a lot of work, but we do it for the kids,” he adds.

Wender also encourages youth football coaches to attend and observe the sessions.

“They can pick up some techniques and drills they can use with their own programs,” he said.

This year’s camp will benefit from Kingsford’s recently completed athletic field improvements.

“Kingsford is a good host. They really do a great job from the administration, all the way down to make all our coaches feel welcome,” Wender said.

Registration forms are available on Kingsford Flivver Football Facebook page or by contacting Wender.

Athletes are required to bring their own football helmet and shoes. Quarterbacks should also bring their own football.

Participants can also register at the field on the first day of camp. “No eligible athlete will be turned away,” Wender adds.

Participants are asked to arrive by 12:15 p.m. Wednesday for registration.

The cost of the camp is $100, with checks payable to Tom Wender Football Camp.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.