350 foot slip 'n' slide
heated outdoor swimming pool
basketball courts
sand volleyball
soccer Golf Course
river floating
all meals included
camp store

camp location:
Cedar Ridge Retreat Center 
18062 Keasey Road, Vernonia, OR 97064
 

home of nba champion:

Larry Steele basketball camp

soccer & basketball camps run simultaneously

 

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July 13 - 17

June 23 - 27

Meet the camp staff

Tyler Pagano
Balance soccer founder & camp director 

"I had the opportunity to create something that I didn’t see existing in the Portland area; a soccer camp with an old fashioned “camp” vibe.  Outdoors a majority of the time with a ton of activities and just too much to do in one day for even the most ambitious and energetic camper." - Tyler

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Tyler is from Chicago, IL and as a youth played for Chicago Sockers FC before becoming a NCAA D1 All Conference 4 year starter at the University of Massachusetts and Valparaiso University.  After his collegiate career Tyler played for Indiana Invaders FC of the PDL (now the USL2) for 2 seasons and then spent some time in Bolivia hanging on to the dream!  He began his coaching career at the college level with Wabash College and then joined the PDL coaching staff for Indiana Invaders FC.

Tyler moved to Portland in 2014 and founded Balance Soccer, LLC in 2015.  He served as Oregon ODP Head Coach and Regional Training Center Director for multiple years before going full time with Balance Soccer.  He recently joined the Soccer Chance Academy Coaching Staff for the upcoming 2022 season.

Since 2019, Tyler has also served on the Board of Directors for 501(c)(3) Fields of Dreams Uganda and was recently named Director of Coaching.  He works with the staff in Uganda with the many initiatives enacted by the organization.  Tyler travels to Uganda 1-2 times a year and intertwines his unique experiences and perspectives into his training and camp curriculum development.  He has invited and hired his two best friends to join the fun at camp this summer.

Jeff is the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Director of Recruitment and International Affairs.  He just returned from Manchester, England where he had to go to the Manchester United vs Manchester City Derby at Old Trafford for work.  For real.  He's been with the Rapids since 2016 and was previously the Goalkeeping Director before his recent promotion. 

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Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, the majority of his coaching development took place on the college side of the game at schools such as Northwestern University, Valparaiso University, and Wabash College. While involved in the college game, he also served youth programs as a coaching/goalkeeping director at Team Evanston, NWI United, Dynamo FC, and Indiana ODP.

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Oleck graduated from Valparaiso University (where Tyler and Jeff met) in 2006 with a B.A. in Biology and earned a M.S. in Sports Administration from Valparaiso University in 2011.  He holds the USSF National “A” License and the USC Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma.

Jeff Oleck 
Boys Camp Head Coach

Anthony Pagano
girls Camp Head Coach

Anthony, Tyler's younger brother, moved to Portland in 2015 and won the Portland Timbers Camp Coach of the Year Award in 2016.  Lincoln Youth Soccer swooped him up and named him their Director of Coaching in 2017. He served as Oregon Regional Training Center Director and Oregon ODP Assistant Coach for multiple years.  He graduated from MacMurray College in 2011 and holds his USSF National "D" License.

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Anthony has worked Balance Soccer Camp every year with Tyler and has been an integral part of the camp's growth and maturation.  The facility where camp is hosted, Cedar Ridge Retreat Center, is especially special to Anthony as him and his wife, Amber, were married at the Tree Chapel on the property in August 2020! 

counselor profiles coming soon

Camp Information
 

Bunkhouse/Bunkmates: Campers will be sorted in bunks primarily by age, but each camp is unique and we will sort out the very best solution.  All campers attending camp with friends/teammates will 100% absolutely, no doubt be bunking together.  All bunks will have at least one counselor and likely at least one counselor-in-training. 

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What to Pack Checklist:  This is a minimum list of items that Tyler would choose to bring if he were attending camp as a camper:

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-Soccer Ball                   

-Water Bottle

-5 pairs of shorts

-plenty of shirts for training and free time

-soccer shoes

-running shoes

-flip flops or sandals

-water shoes (the creek is great but slippery)

-hat

-headlamp or flashlight

-sweat pants

-sweat shirt

-sunblock (I will also have extra for everyone)

-10 pairs of socks

-dirty laundry bag

-shin guards

-swimming suit

-towel

-personal care items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc…)

-bedding (see below)

Bedding 

Each camper needs to supply his or her own bedding materials.  Sleeping facilities include bunk beds with mattresses (72” X 30”).  Tyler suggests:  

-a fitting sheet to wrap around the mattress

-a sleeping bag or blanket

-pillow

-maybe an extra sheet or light blanket 

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Camp Address & Directions 

All Balance Soccer Summer Camps are located at the Cedar Ridge Retreat Center, home of Larry Steele Basketball Camps.  

18062 Keasey Road, Vernonia, OR 97064

Vernonia is located 40 miles northwest of Portland,  and is reached by taking Highway 26 west from Portland.  Turn right onto Highway 47 and travel 15 miles to Vernonia.  Turn right at the red blinking light.  Turn left on State/Keasey Road (at the Napa Auto Parts).  Go 1.3 miles and Cedar Ridge Retreat Center will sneak up on your left once you enter the forest with a big brown sign with red letters.  I’ll also have a big orange Balance Soccer banner out front.  Turn left at the entrance and follow the signs down towards the basketball courts.  

Balance Soccer Camps run simultaneously as Larry Steele Basketball Camps at this huge, gorgeous facility.  

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First Day Camper Drop Off

Camper drop off is from 4:30-5:00pm on the first day of camp.  As you pull into the facility please follow the signs down the drive way to the parking area near the basketball courts and check in tent.  

At this time each camper will:

• check in with Tyler

• receive their camp shirt

• deposit cash/electronic payment into the camp store should you like

• drop off medication that will be held and administered by Tyler

• have an opportunity to ask any questions

• check out Cedar Ridge Retreat Center

Last Day Camper Pick Up

Camp will end at 12:00pm on the last day of camp.  Campers can be picked up any time between 12:00 and 12:30 pm.  More details will be announced as camp approaches.

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Camp Store $ and Snacks

Each day campers will have a small window to purchase snacks.  Cold drinks usually sell quickest!  

Store funds are collected before or at camper sign in.  Purchases are then deducted from the campers account.  All remaining funds will be returned following camp.  This way campers don’t have to carry around cash.  $25-$45 should be adequate for even the snackiest of campers!

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Cell Phones

Cell phone usage will be MINIMAL during this camp.  Phones will be permitted only during a 15 minute span after lunch each day in our outdoor seating area and then collected again before campers can go out and play. All phones will be collected and held by Tyler throughout camp. Phones are not permitted in the bunkhouses.  Campers can also use the camp land line to call home if they decide not to bring their phones.  Camp Director, Tyler Pagano will be available by phone at all times. 847-508-8388.

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Video Games

Nope!  Not at this camp!

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Questions Answered by Tyler

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1. ​How many years have you all been running the camp?

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This will be the 5th year of Balance Soccer Summer Camps running 2-3 camps per summer.  I also led and hosted camps for the Portland Timbers for 4 years.  Day camps and overnight camps.  I had the opportunity to create something that I didn’t see existing in the Portland area; a soccer camp with an old fashioned “camp” vibe.  Outdoors a majority of the time with a ton of activities and just too much to do in one day for even the most ambitious and energetic camper.  

2. Testimonials? 

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“Veronica says it was her favorite camp ever!”

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"To keep this short, I'll get right to it. There are only two people we have known and trusted to develop and progress our kids' skills on the pitch - you and _____. We feel blessed that you two have intersected with them and us on this trip through life.”

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"I gotta say, it is truly impressive what you have done with your training program, camps, brand, identity, and overall product. Your name is associated with pushing soccer players with a smile - pushing them in both their soccer development and personal development. Each time you and I have chatted when you've made a side comment about what you want to do next with your program, I'll be damned, you did it. Vision is a unique personal trait but only a subset of those with vision also demonstrate execution. That's the difference between a vision and a dream - dreams come true with a heavy dose of chance, visions come to reality with a heavy dose of purpose & effort.

It was just a few precious years ago that you rolled into this town and I can't help it that, when your name comes up, I enjoy sharing with folks that Ollie's little training group was your first in PDX (don't correct me if I'm wrong, I enjoy saying it too much to stop now) b/c, when I do it, I'm partly gloating but mostly just proud to have been able to watch you start from scratch."

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"Thank you and keep it up!! There's a whole generation of PDX soccer players that won't know a world without you.”

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"I know I've said it before but your trainings and being such a positive voice every day has made a real difference for Ryan."

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3. What is the coach/counselor to camper ratio? 

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The counselor to camper ratio is roughly 10 to 1.  Along with myself, my brother Anthony Pagano (Director of Coaching at Lincoln Youth Soccer) will be the other coach.  He has run camp with me every summer.  We will be returning our two Lead Counselors form last year, which I am thrilled about.  They did a phenomenal job last year.  Jack and Hawk are Juniors and Sophomores in college, both playing soccer at their school.  We will also have some Counselors-In-Training this summer.  These will be Juniors or Seniors in high school that have attended my camps before and who know the culture I am trying to create.  They will get to enjoy all the fun parts of camp while learning the ropes to potentially come a counselor one day.

4. What type of background/reference checks do you complete for the instructors/counselors?

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Because I know all my coaches and counselors personally I do not require background checks.  I have taken great care to build this camp a certain way and will not sacrifice my principles to make a few extra bucks.  If vamp grows to where I need to hire more individuals I will certainly complete a state recommended background check.

5.  What are the sleeping arrangements?

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Each Bunkhouse has 3 rooms and sleeps 12-14 with bunkbeds.  We make sure to sort out the best solution for all campers.  Friends and teammates (and siblings, if they want) absolutely get bunked together.  

6.  The fee includes all meals while they are at camp, correct?

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Yes, the fee includes all meals.  There is a new kitchen staff taking over this year and the campers can expect healthier and tastier food this year!  We have a camp store where kids can buy snacks and cold drinks that we open up once or twice a day.  We collect the money up front and deduct from their account so that the kids aren’t walking around with cash.  Most kids deposit $25-$50.  All remaining funds are refunded at the end of camp.

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Balance Soccer Camp Refund Policy

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Balance Soccer expects that camp registration fees will be paid at the time of registration, unless prior arrangements have been made.

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If you choose to cancel or leave a camp session for any reason:

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• 30 or more days prior to the camp session starting date: Balance Soccer will retain $100 for administration and processing fees.

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• 29 days or less prior to the camp session starting date through summer camp start date: Balance Soccer is unable to offer any refunds or credits.