The Football Camp for the Stars is especially for athletes with Down syndrome who love football
With instruction from NFL football players, along with NFL, college and prep school coaches as well as leaders in cheer, athletes learn the fundamentals that put them in the middle of the action, resulting in an authentic football experience.
39 Days
39 Days
Countdown to Camp
The 2024 Football Camp for the Stars will take place on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 at Valley Christian High School.
Registration Full
Any further registrations will be added to the waitlist
Message from Coach Mike Machado
To all our 2024 Campers looks like our numbers are back up and we’re filling up, Certainly leads to an exciting outlook for the Camp, great energy and campers ready to put on a show in the drills as well as Saturdays two scrimmage games we are all looking forward to!!!!! I am so looking forward to seeing you all on Friday June 7th and Saturday June 8th for yet another great Camp for all our Stars, Football as well as the Cheerleading Stars as well.
Can’t Wait!!!! My Very Best to you All !!
My Cause My Cleats
For Week 13 of the NFL Season, 49ers CB Charvarius “Mooney” Ward has selected our organization to support. He selected Football Camp for the Stars in honor of his daughter who has down syndrome. Keep an eye out for these cleats when the 49ers take on the Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 3.
"Football Camp for the Stars is a foundation that supports children with Down Syndrome. My daughter, she has Down Syndrome, and I just want to let all the parents know with kids that have Down Syndrome, there's no reason to be scared, afraid or sad about it. Your child is still beautiful; they're joyful, goofy, funny kids. My baby, she's been excelling at everything she does. She's one year old now and we just threw an amazing birthday party for her, she had fun at that. She was dancing, sitting up on her own, eating her cake, she's starting to pull up on things now. If your kid has Down Syndrome, it's a blessing – It's not a curse, it's definitely a blessing.
"A lot of people in the world look up to NFL athletes, so it's just good to show support to the people that are dealing with the same things that we're dealing with. We're normal people, even though we're on TV every Sunday. It's definitely a big deal that we can support these organizations."
How it all began…
The Football Camp for the Stars, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, is the brainchild of current Valley Christian Schools (VCS) Varsity Football Coach, Mike Machado. The mission of the camp is to provide athletes with Down Syndrome an authentic football experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety. The first camp was held in June of 2007.
17 Years Strong!
Now in its 17th year, the Football Camp for the Stars at Valley Christian has been embraced and supported by the football community at large
“What makes it so special is that I saw a buddy holding hands with his athlete buddy going to the gym for lunch. It takes a special type of young man to hold hands with another young man in front of his friends and teammates”
—Steve Z.
“The blend of coaches, players, parents, and cheerleaders created an environment of fun and learning that every parent in attendance could only wish for their children.”
—Tim G.
“Our camper has not only gained football experience during his 14 years of participation in FCTFS, but we have also gained wonderful friendships and memories.”
- Kerry R.
