After Thursday's morning session and checkout, 2017 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Resident Camp is officially over. Over two weeks, more than 400 youth players enjoyed five days worth of soccer, exercise, classroom sessions and a dose of campus life at Bryn Athyn College.

It was the first year Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer hosted camp at Bryn Athyn, and it likely won't be the last. Just read the thoughts of Matthew Sparing.

"The dorms are so nice," Matthew said. "The fields are in good condition."

This was Matthew's third consecutive summer at camp. The Media resident and 1776 United player looks forward to his stay every year.

"The coaches," Matthew, 14, responded when asked what keeps him coming back. "Their training is amazing, and it really helps me improve on my skills, and just being a nice and happy soccer player."

Matthew also enjoys the non-soccer activities.

"The yoga is the bests," he said, "because it really gets you stretched out before you go to a hard training session. So it gets you in the right attitude. "

Indeed, yoga precedes the early afternoon sessions on most days at camp. It provides a glimpse into a holistic approach to soccer as well as piques the interest of players who may be interested in off-field training.

The psychology lectures appealed to Matthey, too, especially those by Dr. Ciaran Dalton, a member of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer's Medical Advisory Committee.

"He's awesome because he helps prepare you with the side of soccer when you're not playing or training," Matthew said,"getting your mental state ready."

But mostly it's about having fun for Matthew.

"My first year I had this friend Dylan, who lives 30 minutes away from me," he said. "We still hang out and play soccer most of the time. Every year I make new friends."

We want to thank Matthew and all the campers for their participation. We look forward to having all of you back next year!