(OCTOBER 7, 2025 | PEORIA, IL) – Peoria City continues to add to its programming schedule at The Yard Peoria by announcing a full slate of off-season youth soccer camps, clinics and training sessions, as well as new all-sports and recreation camps, to fill the months during the 2025-26 school year.
Utilizing staff and players from both Peoria City and local colleges, as well as The House Barbell Club, all Peoria City off-season programs at The Yard Peoria are designed to instruct boys and girls participants of all ages and skill levels in soccer, as well as general body movement and fitness. Soccer members at The Yard Peoria receive discounts on most registration prices.
In addition to the five programs outlined below, additional programming is being developed, including activities for Martin Luther King Day Monday, Jan. 19 and Presidents Day Monday, Feb. 16.
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After-School Training Program (Oct. 20, 2025-Jan. 29, 2026)
Sundays with the Carp (Nov. 9, 16 and 23, 2025)
Small-Sided Game Days (Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 2025)
Winter Back-to-School Camp (Monday, Jan. 5, 2026)
Spring Break Sports & Activities Camp (April 6-9, 2026)
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For a full description of each program and registration information, scroll through the details outlined below:
After-School Training Program
Session 1: Monday, Oct. 20-Thursday, Nov. 13
Session 2: Monday, Nov. 17-Thursday, Dec. 18 (no training the week of Thanksgiving)
Session 3: Monday, Jan. 5-Thursday, Jan. 29
Description: The Peoria City After-School Training Program is a collection of 4-week sessions starting in mid-October, each consisting of eight, one-hour sessions that focus on soccer skills on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as eight, one-hour sessions focused on strength, speed and agility on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Peoria City President Jim DeRose will oversee the comprehensive training program in coordination with Joey O’Brien, Director of Wellness & Fitness at The House Barbell Club. Campers of all ages and skill levels have the options of selecting from one or two soccer trainings per week, one or two fitness trainings per week or the full, 16-session bundle of soccer and fitness trainings across the 4-week program.
Sundays with the Carp
Sundays: Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23
First Hour: 1:30-2:30 pm | Ages: 4-10 (Grades PreK-5th)
First Hour Description: Modeled after this summer’s popular “For the Players, By the Players” camps, Sundays with the Carp will be led by a rotation of Peoria City and local college players and staff. The 1st Session program allows our younger participants to engage and play alongside the Flying Carp and staff in games and activities in a grass roots manner. The organic and free-flowing nature of the program allows participants to receive instruction and develop their skills in a fun and interactive space.
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Second Hour: 2:45-3:45 pm | Ages: 11-18 (6th-12th)
Second Hour Description: Coordinated by Peoria City president Jim DeRose, former Bradley head coach and national NCAA Division I coach of the year, and led by a rotation of Peoria City and local college players and staff, the second session of Sundays with the Carp will sharpen your on-the-ball skills with purposeful reps and game-ready drills. This is a fast-paced, individualized, technical skill-development program that will enhance ability on the ball and improve match fitness.
Sundays with the Carp provides a great opportunity for participants currently playing a winter sport to maintain and hone their soccer skills in preparation for the next season.
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Pricing:
All Three Sessions (The Yard Members): $50
All Three Sessions (Non Members): $75
One Session (The Yard Members): $25
One Session (Non Members): $30
Small-Sided Game Days
Dates: Sundays, Dec. 7, 14, 21
Description: Teams will be assembled upon arrival and rotated to ensure competitive balance for games of 3v3 through 5v5, utilizing small goals (no keepers). Dividers will be in place to create three separate fields, and each field will be supervised/officiated. Teams and players will rotate 3-4 times throughout each session for different game models to facilitate technical and tactical development.
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Middle School Games: 4:00-5:00 pm
Boys and Girls: Ages 11-13 (6th-8th grades)
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High School Girls: 5:00-6:00 pm
Girls: Ages 14-18 (8th-12th grades)
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High School Boys: 6:00-7:00 pm
Boys: Ages 14-18 (8th-12th grades)
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Pricing:
All Three Sessions: $50/player
One Session: $25/player
Winter Back-to-School Camp
Date: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Ages: 7-14 (3rd-8th grades)
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Description: Open to players of all abilities who want to develop their all-around game. Come interact with Peoria City players and staff as they provide their expertise and share their passion for the game to help develop players in a focused and fast-paced training atmosphere. This camp will feature sessions of highly-focused individual training with each camper receiving maximum touches on the ball, as well as a variety of small-sided, directional and non-directional games and activities to provide each player with real match decision-making scenarios. While there will not be goalkeeper training during the day, the camp will provide aspiring goalkeepers a maximum amount of work with their feet, which is essential to their development in the modern game.
This camp will feature a break for lunch (11:45-12:15) and campers should bring their own meal. Peoria City will not provide lunch.
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Pricing:
The Yard Members: $60
Non Members: $75
Spring Break Sports & Activities Camp
Dates: Monday, April 6-Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time: 9:00am-3:00 pm
Ages: 6-12 (1st-6th)
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Description: Supervised by Peoria City president Jim DeRose, the Peoria City Spring Break Sports & Activities Camp will expose participants to a variety of sports and activities during each of the four days.
This camp will feature a break for lunch (11:45-12:15) each day and campers should bring their own meal. Peoria City will not provide lunch.
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Pricing:
Full Camp (The Yard Members): $175
Full Camp (Non Members): $200
One Day (The Yard Members): $50
One Day (Non Members): $57.50