AHOSKIE – From July 11-15, the Ahoskie Parks and Recreation Department held a soccer camp sponsored and led by the British soccer corporation Challenger Sports.

The corporation sends 500 coaches to the United States and Canada to teach kids soccer basics and how to improve their skills.

Mark Simpson, a 21 year old from Northern England, coached the Ahoskie group this summer, this being his third coaching trip to the U.S.

&uot;I just love coaching the kids and the getting the feel of a new environment,&uot; Simpson said.

Ahoskie hosts two different camps for ages 6-10 and 10-15.

The camp isn’t your typical soccer drill camp, as each child chooses a different country to represent, for which they earn points for all week, culminating with a festival on Friday complete with face paint, flags and costumes.

The campers earn points through different drills and, of course, the celebration at the end of a goal.

The camp included the week of soccer play with a free ball and shirt at the end of the week.