The Summer My Way program through the Niles-Buchanan YMCA had some help from special guests last week as players from the Niles High School football team volunteered their time to help out.

The second- through fifth-graders had the opportunity to choose an activity for the week and one of them is football.

“I think it’s a humbling experience,” new Niles coach Joe Sassano said. “It’s good for getting the football program giving back to the community. The players have really stepped up to volunteer.”

The children work with the football players doing different drills, warm ups and learning the basic fundamentals of the sport. They are split up into smaller groups and rotate from each group of coaches to the next, learning the different aspect of football. At the end they set up and play a big game.

“I enjoy working with the kids. They learn camaraderie and competitiveness without being too competitive,” said Jacob Hamm, one of the football players. “We [football players] get experience working with kids. It’s good for when we get older and have families. We also learn patience.”

The players met the children at Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday. Players said the children were happy to work with the team and followed direction well.

“I like that the coaches are excited,” said Marley Hinds, one of the participating campers.

“I like that you make new friends and get to play outside because when you play outside you burn off a lot of energy,” said Isaiah Stephens, another one of the campers. “They don’t put you down when you do something wrong.”

There was also other staff from the school and from the YMCA helping out with the program to ensure that everyone was able to participate.