CAMP CASTILLO 07’ 

AFE Foundation & XEWT Channel 12 hosted our 4th annual international Activity Based Life Skills & Team Building camp in Tijuana, Mexico for local middle school boys & girls Saturday May 19^th: and a specialized football clinic for high school football players and coaches May 20, 2007.

High School football teams in Tijuana are poorly funded, access to equipment is limited, and athletes are given used and low-quality equipment.  AFE’s goal with this year’s camp was to:

Ø      To raise funds to help struggling football programs by purchasing quality equipment

Ø      To train athletes and coaches in safe and effective drills and workouts

Ø      To expose students to professional athletes and mentors who they would never otherwise have the opportunity to meet

Ø      To help promote the growth of American football internationally

At Camp Castillo, current and retired professional athletes served as mentors and camp leaders.  Camp Castillo’s camp activities promoted health and wellness, taught teamwork and discipline, and was designed to increase self-confidence.  Our goal in hosting these types of camps is to reward middle and high school students for improved academic & citizenship goals set by their teachers & administrators. The ultimate outcome we hope to achieve is to motivate campers to succeed in school, strengthen their self-esteem, and inspire them to follow their dreams.

At this year’s camp middle school & HS student-athletes participated in drills that taught them specific skills such as throwing, catching, blocking, speed & conditioning drills & exercises to improve speed and proper running techniques from retired & current professional athletes.

Camp host Luis Castillo invited some of his 2007 Chargers teammates Kassim Osgood, Brandon McKinney, Greg Camarillo along with retired NFL athletes Leon White, Karl Wilson, Lonny Mitchell & Floyd Fields to join him as camp mentors. Former SF Giants & NY Mets superstar and1989 National League MVP, 2 time all-star Kevin Mitchell, shared his tips on hitting and fielding.  A team of Capoeira athletes, led by Mindinho & Molly exposed the students to this incredible form of Brazilian martial arts. 

Camp host Luis Castillo was born Aug. 4, 1983 in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Garfield High School in Garfield, New Jersey. first-team all-state and all-county as junior and senior by Associated Press and Newark Star-Ledger…three-time first-team all-league choice…team captain and team MVP as senior…member of Math Honor Society, National Honor Society and Honor Roll. He graduated from North Western University 2004 with a degree in economics. 

He is only the fourth player in school history to earn All-America and Academic All-America honors in the same season…Luis will be entering his 3rd year as starting Defensive end for the San Diego Chargers.

Saturday’s camp hosted 120 middle school student-athletes; Sunday’s hosted over 120 HS student-athletes & coaches from local Tijuana high and middle schools. Camp Castillo kicked-off with a prayer led by Karl Wilson, and preceded with the student-athletes rotating through stations run by each athlete, who were accompanied by a Spanish translator. CREA’S Sports complex hosted the 2 day camp.

Saturday’s camp: the stations were set-up for the athletes to teach middle school student-athletes exercises to improve in their flexibility, coordination, balance, strength, proper running techniques and strengthening and conditioning exercises.  Camp wrapped up with gifts for the student-athletes and autographs from the athletes.

Sunday’s camp: the stations were designed & set-up for the athletes to train coaches and high school football players’ specific football skills, proper running techniques, strengthening and conditioning exercises.  Camp wrapped up with gifts for the student-athletes and autographs from the athletes.

Although Tijuana is just a few miles from San Diego, traveling across international borders takes several hours.  We arrived home exhausted, but with great happiness that we were able to touch so many lives and make such a positive impact on youth.

Athletes for Education Foundation (AFE) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization of current and former professional athletes, entertainers, business and community leaders who serve as mentors for our youth.  AFE hosts special events and fundraisers to benefit community youth programs and provides mentorship programs throughout San Diego. 

AFE’s objective is to encourage youth to be creative, build bridges instead of walls, and dare to dream!  Our motto is “Helping Our Youth Help Themselves.”

Join Our Winning Team!

Camp Castillo is a unique event and a wonderful opportunity for sponsors to support fitness and international relations with Tijuana, Mexico.  For more information, please call 619-583-4955 or e-mail:AFE85@cox.net

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SATURDAY CAMP
SUNDAY CAMP