Children congratulate each other after a game. Approximately 30 Les Cheneaux area youngsters participated in an informal soccer program through Consolidated Community School Services (CCSS) this summer. The children, who ranged in age from three to six years of age, learned basic soccer skills, while teams played scrimmages against each other during practice. The season ended in early August.

Tracy Reichlin of Cedarville launched the program after talking to Les Cheneaux CCSS coordinator Kate Ter Haar.

“I told her I would get coaches if she could help with setting it up through CCSS,” Mrs. Reichlin said. “We decided we'd try a four-week program, one night per week.”

Mrs. Reichlin contacted local businesses and obtained donations from them to buy team T-shirts. Mrs. Reichlin said around 30 children signed up for the program, though participation numbers varied each week. Coaches did not keep track of scores, though plenty of goals were made. Cedarville Foods, Ang-Gio’s, Flamin’ Frog, and Arfstrom Pharmacy, all Cedarville businesses, sponsored this summer’s teams.

Mrs. Reichlin is not sure the program will continue next summer. It depends on whether CCSS sponsors the program, how many volunteers are available for coaching, and how many children are interested.