The One.
The
Only.
FUEL YOUR DRIVE
✦
BUILD YOUR TEAM
✦
ELEVATE YOUR GAME
✦
PERSEVERE
✦
GAIN CONFIDENCE
✦
REACH YOUR GOALS
✦
CONNECT
✦
FUEL YOUR DRIVE ✦ BUILD YOUR TEAM ✦ ELEVATE YOUR GAME ✦ PERSEVERE ✦ GAIN CONFIDENCE ✦ REACH YOUR GOALS ✦ CONNECT ✦
THE FSAWAY
Our goal is to create well-rounded campers and will stop at nothing to accomplish that. We want campers to discover and cultivate a passion for athletics for the same reasons we have: competition, socialization, self-esteem, and the ultimate experience…contributing to something bigger than ourselves!
VALUES
At FSA Sports Camp, we believe in fostering a positive and supportive environment where every camper feels appreciated and encouraged. Our staff members regularly shout out campers for their hard work, kindness, and achievements, creating a sense of recognition and camaraderie.
The FSA Way is built on a strategic approach to providing our campers with positive attention and meaningful recognition. While our daily ESPN Highlight Shout-Outs at lunch energize and inspire our boys, the true cornerstone of our camp is the Good Dude Reward System.
Good Dude System
Staff highlight campers for going out of their way to be a good friend to others. Whether it be giving up a spot at a dining table or picking up someone else’s lost items, our staff to camper ratio allows for us to see this ALL!
FSA Sports Camp believes in teaching life skills through sports, on and off the fields. We want our campers to learn how to both win and lose with character. It’s not whether or not you win or lose but how you handle yourself and to others.
A positive attitude is contagious, and we want to highlight those leaders and create an environment of positive attitudes and minds throughout our campus. There is no one stopping you but yourself and your attitude. We highlight this and reward campers for continuing down this path.
TRADITIONS
AGE GROUPS
-
We spin challenges into strengths
Our 1st Graders
-
We pick people up when they are down
Our 2nd Graders
-
We shake off our mistakes
Our 3rd Graders
-
We tear down the competition
Our 4th Graders
-
We face our fears head on
Our 5th Graders
-
We get over obstacles
Our 6th Graders
5-YEAR BACKPACK
Campers and staff returning for their 5th summer with us will be honored with a custom backpack in recognition of their ongoing dedication and commitment.
6-YEAR Chair
Campers who begin as Cyclones (1st grade) and graduate as Tsunamis (6th grade) will receive a custom stadium chair, proudly displaying the years they've spent with us at camp.
Tribal takeover / olympics
The FSA Olympics/ Tribal Takeover is a thrilling, week and a half tradition at FSA Sports Camp. The entire camp is split into twelve teams, all representing different countries. Over the next two weeks, campers of all ages compete in all types of sports, games, and challenges to claim the title of Olympic Champion. It’s a time of intense competition, collaboration, and camp spirit, where every camper, counselor, and staff member plays a role in creating an unforgettable experience.
COLOR WAR
Color War is one of the most anticipated and exciting traditions at FSA Sports Camp. Campers are divided into two teams, each representing a side of a specific theme. This 10-day competition sparks intense team spirit, friendly rivalry, and a wide range of activities that bring the entire camp together in the name of fun and camaraderie. Previous themes have include: Stanley Cup, Army vs Navy, Space Jam (Tune Squad vs Monstars), Luke SkyWalker vs Darth Vader, Ferrari vs Lamborghini, The GOAT (LeBron James vs Michael Jordan), Toy Story- (Buzz vs Woody), amongst others. WHAT WILL THIS YEAR’S THEME BE?
friendship. sportsmanship.
Attitude.
MEET our directors
Kevin & Colleen Kaminsky
Kevin was introduced to “camp” at a very young age. His passion for sports and children started when he was first asked in second grade what he wanted to be when he grew up- A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AND BASKETBALL COACH! Those same passions exist today but in the incredible world of CAMP where he can fulfill both in one institution. Whether it be running his own mini sports centralized sports camps in high school or traveling all summer working overnight basketball camps in college, he was on a mission. After training youth basketball players on the north shore of Chicago, coaching junior high basketball teams, and being a part of a not-for-profit basketball program since 2000 a dream opportunity arose. Kevin had the opportunity to go become part of a new overnight camp, Camp Horseshoe. Working his way up from counselor to Athletic Director, then on to Program Director and ultimately as an Assistant Director he was able to understand how each part of the puzzle fits together.
-
During Kevin’s time in the camp industry he has not only volunteered for SCOPE Midwest, but also has gained certificates in WSI (Water Safety Instructor) and American Red Cross life guarding. He has also attained his Camp Director Safety Certification from the Gene Ezersky Camp Safety School.
While striving to create the best possible experience for campers in the Northwoods Kevin also co-founded the youth sports program on the North Shore of Chicago known simply as FSA.
In 2014 his lifelong goal of owning, operating, and building a camp from the ground up was attained, and FSA Sports Camp was born. Since its inception of having campers from just 2 towns, FSA Sports Camp now has spread across the North Shore with campers from over 10 communities.
When Kevin and Colleen met in 2010 Colleen decided to drive the 5+ hours to visit Kevin at Camp Horseshoe and see what his life was all about. Once she visited she too fell in love with the concept of CAMP. After spending years in the finance industry Colleen made a career altering decision to focus her passion on children as well. Since day 1 of FSA Sports Camp, Colleen has held the integral role of being “Camp Mom” to all the boys but also the glue and direct liaison and communication between parents and camp throughout the camp day. Being educated in various allergies, diabetes, and other health concerns Colleen has an innate ability to put parents minds at ease as they know she will treat their children as her own.
Aside from showering their own two girls, Marley and Kaya, with love, Colleen also serves as a substitute teacher to elementary school children in Lake Forest, IL during the school year and works as a pre-school teacher at First Presbyterian in Lake Forest.
Camp is truly a family affair for both Colleen and Kevin and they consider every camper and staff at FSA Sports Camp part of their family as well.
OUr leadership team
-
Returning for his 6th summer at FSA and 3rd as Assistant Director, Charlie Levine-Wolf brings a ton of experience and an unwavering passion for camp life. With over a decade of involvement at Camp Thunderbird, both as a camper and a counselor, Charlie has developed a deep understanding of the values that make camp such an impactful experience.
A Highland Park native and 2022 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Charlie has since gained valuable professional experience working with a couple professional sports teams. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Business from Northwestern University, furthering his commitment to a career in the sports industry.
At FSA, Charlie is eager to continue sharing his love for sports, teamwork, and personal growth with the campers, while also bringing a professional edge to the camp experience. When not at camp, you can probably find Charlie at a golf course nearby! He looks forward to another unforgettable summer at FSA Sports Camp!
-
Robbie and Talia Deutsch bring both camp and professional teaching experience, along with a genuine love for working with kids. A native of Highland Park, Robbie has deep roots in camping, having spent 18 summers at Camp Horseshoe, 6 as a camper and 12 on staff, including 7 years as Assistant Director (even working alongside Kevin at one point!). His longtime involvement has given him a unique perspective on how camp helps kids grow in confidence, teamwork, and developing independence. Robbie is passionate about connecting with campers and building strong, lasting relationships. Talia helps Colleen in the office, serving as another source of communication between parents and camp throughout the camp day, along with helping out with transportation and coordinating day-to-day logistics with campers and parents.
During the school year, Robbie teaches Special Education at Highland Park High School, where he has also coached basketball. Talia teaches Special Education at Deerfield High School and shares Robbie’s passion for supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.
Outside of work, the Deutsch’s enjoy traveling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. They are thrilled to be back at FSA and look forward to helping create another meaningful and fun summer for all campers!
-
After graduating from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training, Jake “Coach Skin” Roskin worked as an Athletic Trainer at high schools in the northern suburbs such as Rochelle Zelle Jewish High School and Stevenson High School. After a few years, Coach Skin realized that he wanted to dedicate more time to supporting kids through sports and went back to school to get his teaching certification in Physical Education at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Being a teacher during the school year has been extremely rewarding for Coach Skin, but most importantly, leaves him with his summers free to dedicate time to the most important thing in life -- camp!Coach Skin, a camp veteran with over 16 years of leadership experience with 10 years working at FSA, and a total of 24 years of living the camp life, was inspired by his transformative journey at Camp Ojibwa. This experience ignited his passion for youth development through sports. During the school year, Jake shares his love for athletics as a K-8 Physical Education teacher at Passages Charter School in Chicago. Driven by his own growth through camp experiences, Jake is committed to passing on invaluable lessons to the next generation, fostering their development and instilling in them the same passion he found through sports.
When he isn’t at camp or school, Coach Skin enjoys boating, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with his dog, Toasty and his wife, Hannah.
-
Justin Larson brings decades of coaching, camp counseling, and working with youth to our FSA program.Justin has been working with our FSA staff and campers for the past 7 summers, prior to that he was a Head Staff/Behavioral specialist at Tamarak Day Camp and Country School. Justin has also spent time with Colvig Silver Camps in Durango, Co as an overnight counselor.
Justin is an accomplished football coach spending time at the High School and collegiate level. Justin is currently an Offensive Line Coach at Barrington High School, he has also worked with the San Diego State University football program as an offensive staff assistant, along with being an offensive line coach at Lane Tech High School. Justin played collegiate football at nearby Carthage College in Kenosha, Wi.
When not coaching and working at camp Justin runs Insight Mentoring Services, which is a community based mentoring and social group program for high schoolers and adults with autism or similar social delays.
Justin and his Wife Amy live in nearby Park Ridge with their two sons Austin and Dylan.