Soccer Camp for Kids With Special Needs Kicks Off Tuesday

When Mindy Bakos would take her 6-year-old son to his AC Premier Soccer games, her son Vince would watch but couldn't play.

Vince – who has been diagnosed with autism – would tap his chest, wanting to get on the field.

"Vince is on the sidelines a lot. I want him and his friends to have the same opportunities as everyone else," said Bakos, who lives in Mentor.

Bakos would tell her son that he would eventually get his turn. Well, that turn begins Tuesday.

Bakos and Mark Wardeiner organized the Special Kickers Soccer Camp, which goes from Tuesday to Aug. 11 at Daniels Park in Willoughby.

Bakos said she had the idea for the camp for more than a year before she discussed it with Wardeiner, an AC Premier coach who also teaches at .

"I presented it to a lot of people before I presented it to Mark Wardeiner and they just thought I was a crazy mother with some idea," she said.

However, Bakos is a recreational therapist who worked with disabled sports organizations for years.

She said when she pitched Special Kickers to Wardeiner, he didn't even hesitate before saying "yes."

Twenty-seven children from Mentor to Lyndhurst will participate in the camp.

"We didn't want to turn away anyone because of age or diagnosis," Bakos said. "We have every disability group represented."

The coaches and volunteers are from AC Premier. They will help the children by using slightly modified drills that teach the game's basics, such as ball control, footwork and shooting.

And, thanks to the camp's corporate sponsors, the kids will participate for free.

Bakos said she hopes the kids have fun at Special Kickers; but, even more, she hopes the camp inspires other adults to start similar camps in their communities.

"I'm excited for parents to see what's possible."

Bakos and Wardeiner hope to make Special Kickers an annual event. Those who have a child they would like to put in the camp should email wardeiner@ameritech.net. Those who wish to help sponsor can email mibakos@yahoo.com.