'Athletes For Life' Camp Teaches Football, Life Skills To Inland Empire Youth

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Former NFL All-Pro running back Greg Bell is the driving force behind Athletes For Life,  an overnight summer camp for Inland Empire young adults.

The four-day camp, held at Cal State San Bernardino, is the nation's largest free football camp.

But Bell says Athletes For Life is about more than teaching football, the experience imparts life skills.

The former member of the Raiders and Rams started the Athletes For Life Foundation and it's grown tremendously through sponsorship.

The AFL hosts 250 boys and 50 girls each summer in its camps.

Young men can attend the AFL Junior Player Development (JPD) camp or an NFL High School Player Development (HSPD) camp. NFL players and retirees work with the kids to teach proper football technique as well as sportsmanship and decision-making skills, all with the hope that attendees will leave a better player and a better person.

AFL also offers a popular program for young women grades 7 through 12 on "How to Be a Girl." Participants are taught "tools necessary in life" that empower women.

AFL is putting on a one-day PLAY 60 Youth Movement program. This national fitness campaign focuses on increasing the wellness of youth by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. This year's camp is being offered to all elementary age kids and all youth with special needs living in the Inland Empire. Registration is online and walk-ups are welcome. Registration starts Sunday at 8:00 a.m. June 29, 2014, at the CSUSB recreation fields. Parking is $5.

More information can be found at Athletes For Life.