High school football players aren’t the only athletes who need to use July wisely as another season approaches.

Younger players, whether they are Pop Warner veterans or going into their first season of organized football, need to get going, too, and that’s why King’s Fork head coach Joe Jones started the Bulldog Youth Gridiron Skills Camp a few summers ago.

Jones, with his Bulldog assistants and Bulldog players past and present, come out in the middle of the summer heat and humidity to work with kids a couple weeks before all the practices, from mitey mite up to varsity, will be in full swing.

This year’s camp is set for Tuesday-Thursday, July 19-21 and is for ages 8-13.

Lots of drills and fundamentals, at every position on the field for every camper, no matter if they already know where they play or not, is the big goal.

“We want every kid to know at least a little bit about every position. Sure, some kids aren’t going to be a quarterback or running back, but it’s still important for them to see what it’s like to throw, catch and run with the ball,” Jones said.

It works the other way too. The pretty-boy quarterbacks will be pushing sleds and learning blocking techniques right along with the big guys.

Jones has coached at King’s Fork, Windsor, Smithfield and Franklin during the last two decades, along with Pop Warner teams in Suffolk. He was a team captain and Senior Bowl tight end in his playing days at Virginia Tech and played with the Indianapolis Colts.

Part of the camp is designed to make kids better athletes in general, even outside of football, with strength, agility and conditioning work. Then part of each day’s play is specific by position.

The camp will go from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. each day, largely to avoid the worst heat of the day. The registration fee is $30 per camper. Forms can be picked up at King’s Fork High School or King’s Fork Middle School. For more information, call Jones at 650-2828.