When I was young, I was lucky enough to attend a Merril Hoge football camp. The details are a bit hazy now, but our camp was more involved than what Chicago Bears wide receiver, Darnell Mooney has planned. You see when I went to camp, we actually stayed the night. I'm not confident, but I believe it was a two-night, three-day event. My fondest memories were sleeping in a top bunk, meeting James "Big Cat" Williams and learning some offensive and defensive line techniques.
Chicago Bears WR, Darnell Mooney hosts youth camp in July
Well, Darnell Mooney has partnered with Octane Football and is hosting a one-day football camp in McCook, Illinois. The camp will run on July 9, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. According to Octane Football, the Chicago Bears wide receiver will host a day of fun and football. Darnell Mooney and local coaches will be providing instruction. The site specifies that this event is not just an "athlete appearance" event, but an interactive, high energy and fun camp.
Campers will get a full experience that includes skills and drills, contests, awards and non-contact (assuming flag) football games. Patrons will also receive a small group photo with Darnell Mooney, an exclusive Darnell Mooney t-shirt and more. The cost is $150 if registered prior to July 1, 2023, and $175 if registered after July 1.
This will be the first year that Darnell Mooney hosts one of these camps and you'd have to wonder if it might be his last seeing he has not received a new contract beyond this year and has plenty of competition for targets now as the WR3 behind D.J. Moore and Chase Claypool. Maybe Mooney proves me wrong and forces Claypool into that WR3 role instead. It is honestly possible that neither Mooney nor Claypool return in 2024. With two first-round picks in 2024, one could be used on a new wide receiver — Marvin Harrison, Jr. anyone?
If you have a child who loves football, loves the Chicago Bears and falls between the ages of eight and 16, then maybe this youth camp is perfect for them. Here is a look at an Allen Lazard camp from 2022 if you want to see what takes place. Looks like a day filled with football fun!