The New Orleans Saints/Gatorade Junior Training Camp program gives boys and girls the opportunity to test their football skills in various drills and obstacle courses. This program visits elementary and junior high schools throughout the Gulf South area. Over 30,000 boys and girls per year have the opportunity to experience the same drills and use the same equipment as the players themselves. The clinics last between 90 and 120 minutes in length. The first 30 minutes are used as an introduction to the camp and camp rules. Topics such as education, goal setting, and personal experiences are also be discussed. After the speaker has finished, the campers are escorted to the playing field where they begin participating in activities. This segment of the camp usually lasts 60 minutes. Participants are divided into groups prior to the start of camp. Each group rotates through five to six non-contact stations developed with football and fun in mind. The curriculum has been designed so that anybody can perform the skills regardless of age, gender, or experience.

It is important to note that each child must have a Junior Training Camp waiver form signed by a parent or guardian. Campers will not be allowed to participate without this form. Each school must provide six to eight volunteer teacher/coaches. We ask that teachers become coaches in the event so children can interact with their teachers in an environment other than the classroom. Volunteer teacher/coaches must meet with the Saints Junior Training Camp Coordinator prior to the event in order to discuss the curriculum.

Our purpose and goal is to get more children participating in the game of football while influencing them to be better people in the game of life. If you would like to have the Saints/Gatorade Junior Training Camp program visit your school, have the Physical Education instructor or Principal contact Jason Trosclair at (504) 731-1789.

In addition to all normal Junior Training Camp school visits, the Saints have teamed up with the Louisiana Tobacco Control Program and The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness in an effort to reach an even greater number of children. This program will be the start of a grassroots effort to educate children on the harms of tobacco and teach them life skills to grow into healthy adults. For more information, visit a website made by kids, for kids to prevent kids at www.peersagainsttobacco.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

The Governors Council on Physical Fitness will choose children for these special Junior Training Camps through a letter-writing campaign aimed at policy change.