For the next three weeks, the Browns are busy finishing their offseason activities on the practice fields behind the team's training facility in Berea.
Then it's the kids' turn.
The Browns and Medical Mutual of Ohio are again hosting the Cleveland Browns Youth Football Camps in June. Kids from 8-14 can participate in one of two sessions, June 16-20 and June 23-27.
Spots in both camps are still available. You can sign up here.
Browns Director of Youth Development Ed Suggs and North Olmsted High School football coach Mike Ptacek oversee the camps, which are staffed by local high school and youth football coaches and local small-college players.
Suggs said the coaches incorporate life lessons along with football instruction. Campers work and compete in teams on the same fields the Browns use for their year-round practice work.
"That's one of the main attractions - that the kids get a chance to play on the fields where their football idols play,"
Suggs said. "But it's more than that. It's a unique experience with excellent coaches and a chance for kids to learn life lessons and football lessons."
The coaching is supplemented by guest appearances, too. Though scheduling issues make it hard for any Browns player to commit in advance, Suggs said he works to make sure campers get to hear firsthand from as many current and former NFL players and coaches as possible.
Among the guest speakers at last year's camps were Bernie Kosar, Kellen Winslow, Brady Quinn, Jason Wright and Gary Baxter.
"It's been an awesome experience in the past,"
Suggs said."We've had kids start as eight-year olds and they keep coming back, both for the experiences and the relationships they've made with the coaches and the other campers. And we want new participants, too, because I think every kid gets a lot out of it."
