Final Third Foundation Summer Camp

June 8–26  •  July 6–24  •  For Children Going Into 1st–6th Grade  •  Columbus, OH
Soccer. Wellness. Education.

More Than a Camp - It’s a Place to Grow

At the F3 Summer Soccer, Wellness & Education Camp, every child matters.

Each 3-week session provides a fun, structured experience that helps campers build confidence, develop new skills, and create lasting friendships.

Through a unique blend of soccer, wellness and nutrition, environmental awareness, behavioral health, mindful music, and educational enrichment, campers grow as athletes, students, leaders, and community members.

As part of our commitment to supporting the whole child, Nationwide Children's Hospital Behavioral Health partners with F3 to provide social-emotional and behavioral health programming throughout the summer. Through age-appropriate skill-building activities led by a licensed clinician, campers develop emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, coping skills, confidence, and resilience that support success both at camp and beyond.

With support from the City of Columbus, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus City Council, and Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, F3 is helping create greater access to high-quality summer programming for youth and families across Central Ohio.

To help ensure access for all, F3 offers subsidized rates and full scholarships for families in need. We believe every child should have the opportunity to participate, grow, and belong regardless of financial circumstances.

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D A T E S

Session 1: June 8–26 (3 weeks) ***No camp June 19th

Session 2: July 6–24 (3 weeks)

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L O C A T I O N

Columbus Global Academy

4077 Karl Rd,
Columbus, OH 43224

T I M E

8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

  • 8:00–8:30 AM — Drop-off
  • 3:00–3:30 PM — Pickup
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COST
[*SLIDING SCALE PROVIDED]

$400 per week for Session 1 or 2 (3-weeks total)

Scholarships and payment plans provided.

Email

Healthy lunch and snacks are provided every day.

Age Groups

(Children Going into 1st–2nd Grade, 3rd–4th Grade, 5th–6th Grade)
1st–2nd 3rd–4th 5th–6th

Soccer: Skill, Fun & Teamwork

Daily skill sessions build dribbling, passing, and finishing. Small-sided games and mini-tournaments foster teamwork and decision-making. Expect theme days like World Cup Wednesdays and Trick Shot Fridays—balanced with sportsmanship, leadership, and confidence.

  • Progressive skill-of-the-day + game application
  • Small-sided scrimmages and team play
  • Leadership & sportsmanship focus

Education & Literacy: Learning Through Soccer & The World Cup

Through soccer-themed literacy activities and World Cup-inspired learning, campers build reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills while exploring the world around them.

  • Reading & Vocabulary: Strengthen comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary through engaging texts and discussions.
  • Critical Thinking: Develop problem-solving and analytical skills through inquiry-based learning and collaborative activities.
  • Writing & Communication: Express ideas through discussion, writing, reflection, and creative projects.
  • Global Learning: Explore cultures, countries, and traditions through the lens of soccer and The World Cup.
  • Character & Leadership: Examine themes of perseverance, grit, teamwork, leadership, goal-setting, emotional regulation, and growth mindset.
  • Student-Centered Learning: Participate in hands-on activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Wellness & Nutrition: Fuel for Play

Fun, hands-on learning that builds lifelong healthy habits.

  • Nutrition Education: How fruits and vegetables fuel active bodies; building balanced plates.
  • Tasting the Rainbow: Try new foods and describe color, texture, and aroma with confidence.
  • Recipe Creation: Blend science and creativity to invent healthy snacks safely.
  • Mind–Body Practices: Yoga, breathing, and mindfulness for focus and recovery.

Environmental Awareness: Connecting with Nature

Weekly hands-on projects with F3’s Environmental Education team help campers understand ecosystems and care for our park and community.

  • Gardening & Planting: Care for soil, seeds, and pollinator-friendly plants in F3 garden spaces.
  • Pollinators & Habitats: Explore butterflies, bees, and the homes living things need to thrive.
  • Nature Walks & Eco-Games: Observe local ecosystems through guided hikes, scavenger hunts, and play.
  • Sustainability Challenges: Team activities that build stewardship, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Behavioral Health: In Partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital

Final Third Foundation has partnered with Nationwide Children's Hospital Behavioral Health to provide preventative, skill-building activities led by a licensed clinician throughout the summer.

These activities help campers develop practical skills that support success at camp, in school, at home, and in their relationships with others.

  • Emotional Regulation: Understanding feelings and managing emotions in healthy ways.
  • Problem-Solving: Building strategies to work through challenges and conflicts.
  • Communication Skills: Practicing positive communication, teamwork, and relationship-building.
  • Coping Strategies: Developing age-appropriate tools to handle stress, frustration, and setbacks.
  • Confidence & Resilience: Strengthening self-confidence while learning perseverance and adaptability.

Mindful Music: Connection, Reflection & Growth

Through music, movement, stories, and reflection activities, campers explore the connection between their thoughts, feelings, actions, and the world around them.

  • Thoughts, Feelings & Actions: Learning how emotions influence behavior and decision-making.
  • Mindfulness Practices: Breathing, movement, rest, and reflection activities that promote self-awareness and focus.
  • Connection to Self & Community: Exploring relationships with themselves, fellow campers, and their community.
  • Connection to Nature: Reflecting on nature's elements—including water, sun, earth, and air—and our place within the natural world.
  • Goal-Setting & Positive Self-Talk: Building confidence, grit, and a growth mindset through intentional reflection and practice.

Education: Growing Minds Through Reading & Reflection

Our education blocks connect literacy with life skills through engaging stories, activities, and reflection.

  • Identify thoughts and feelings; practice breathing, movement, and rest to self‑regulate.

  • Explore relationships with peers and with nature’s elements - water, sun, earth, and air.

  • Build confidence, grit, and healthy self‑talk while working toward personal goals.

A Day at Camp

8:00–8:30
Drop-off
8:30–8:45
Free Play (light soccer, puzzles, board games, reading)
8:45–9:00
Daily Kickoff (education/wellness moment)
9:00–10:00
Soccer Session 1 (skill of the day + fun game)
10:05–10:20
Snack + Quick Activity (nutrition challenge, trivia)
10:20–11:20
Wellness Block (gardening, nutrition, mindfulness)
11:25–12:25
Soccer Session 2 (small-sided scrimmages)
12:30–1:00
Lunch & Free Time (board games, reading)
1:00–1:45
Education Block (story circle, soccer math, journaling)
1:50–2:35
Soccer Session 3 (mini-tournament)
2:40–3:00
Mixed Fun Games + Reflection & Final Cheer
3:00–3:30
Pickup
  • Children going into 1st through 6th grade. Groups will be separated out into 1st-2nd grade, 3rd-4th grade, 5th-6th grade.

    Players of all experience levels are welcome.

  • No. A healthy, nutritious lunch will be provided to our campers.

  • What should my child wear/bring?

    Athletic clothes, soccer shoes or sneakers, soccer ball, shin guards, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.

  • Yes. Cost is $500/week or $1200 for the full 3‑week session.

  • Columbus Global Academy, 4077 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43224.

Meet the Team

Dr. Leiah Groom-Thomas

Director of Education

Dr. Jessica Bennett

Director of Soccer & Literacy

Max Rosenthal, M.A.

Director of Environmental Awareness

Callie Fragoulis, M.A.

Assistant Director of Environmental Awareness

Rafael de Oliveira

Assistant Director of Soccer & Literacy

Ready to Join the F3 Summer Experience?

Spaces are limited - secure your spot today.