BROOKINGS – The second annual Cash Money Youth Skills Camp was held on a sunshine-filled Saturday at the Mickelson Middle School track and football complex. Over 550 youth in grades two through 12 participated in the two session event with the younger attendees having camp in the morning and the older campers having an afternoon session.

Camp attendees came from within South Dakota and surrounding states, as well as several from Arizona and Alabama.

Additionally, over 50 college athletes and college coaches were in attendance to help with drills across both sessions of the event, including NFL veterans Pierre Desir, who spent most of the 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his eighth year in the league as a defensive back, and Cecil Shorts, whose six year NFL career as a wide receiver spanned three teams, most notably his first four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The event also doubled as a opportunity to donate shoes to Samaritan’s Feet with over 1,000 pairs donated to the charity that provides shoes to those in need from around the world.

“We are ecstatic with this years camp,” organizer Noah Clair said. “We united hundreds of kids from all across the state, several from Arizona and Alabama and more, while also bringing together over 50 college athletes and college coaches. Last Chance U coach John Mosley from the Netflix documentary, coach Tyler Knight of the Sioux Falls Area Beast Academy and five-time champion while playing with the Sioux Falls Storm indoor football team, and more were in also in attendance.”

The day concluded with a social and speakers at Cubby’s Sports Bar and Grill as well as an autograph session.

The free camp brought together hundreds of youth both on the field and spiritually.

“If you can change your mind, you can change your life,” Clair said. “We don’t need more heroes, we need more servants!”