ACU Youth Camp I

ACU Youth Camp I is a three-day, day-clinic format hosted by Abilene Christian University, a Division I program in the WAC, in Abilene, Texas. The camp runs June 1–3, 2026, and serves coed players ages 4–13. Cost is $120 per participant.

This is a youth development camp, not a college recruiting event. The age range (4–13) and coed format make clear this is an introductory soccer experience for elementary and early-middle school children, regardless of the D1 host institution. The program is designed around skill-building, confidence, and fun in a positive team environment rather than roster evaluation or athletic recruitment. Families with young soccer players looking for summer skill work in a college setting will find this relevant; families with recruiting-age athletes (high school and up) should look elsewhere.

Head Coach Stephen Salas and his staff lead the camp, which signals genuine program investment in youth development and community engagement rather than a purely fee-driven operation. The three-day format provides more consistent instruction and relationship-building than a single-day clinic, though the daytime-only structure limits informal coach interaction. At $120 for three days, the cost is reasonable for a residential-college camp experience. Parents should understand this is fundamentally a youth soccer clinic with a college backdrop, not an identification or recruiting platform.

This camp makes sense for families with young players (roughly ages 6–12) who want exposure to a college program's coaching philosophy in a low-pressure environment. It is not designed for middle school or high school athletes pursuing college recruitment. If your child is under high school age and interested in summer development soccer, ACU's youth camp offers solid value; otherwise, check for age-appropriate recruiting or identification camps that match your athlete's actual stage.