7/8/26 Supporting Youth Athletics at Carriker Chronicles Football Camp

Youth athletics play an important role in building confidence, leadership, discipline, and connection for kids across Lincoln. This summer, local organizations will come together to support those values at the Carriker Chronicles Football Camp on July 8.

Sagewell Orthopaedics is proud to be part of the event, helping support young athletes, families, and coaches throughout the day. The team’s involvement reflects a broader commitment to community wellness and to creating supportive spaces where kids can learn, compete, and grow.

A Community-Focused Day for Young Athletes
The Carriker Chronicles Football Camp brings athletes and families together for a day centered on football fundamentals, encouragement, and development. Beyond drills and position work, events like this give young people the opportunity to learn from coaches, build teamwork skills, and experience the positive impact of community support.

As part of the camp, Dr. Scott Strasburger of Sagewell Orthopaedics will help coach athletes during camp activities. His role on the field will focus on supporting participants as they move through instruction, position-focused work, and skill-building opportunities.

Sagewell athletic trainers Casey Scott, MAT, LAT, ATC, CNC, and Mike Livergood, MS, ATC, CSCS, will also be on site throughout the event. Their presence helps add another layer of support for athletes during a busy day of activity.

Supporting Athlete Wellness On Site
Summer camps can be exciting, high-energy environments. They can also be physically demanding, especially for young athletes who are still growing and preparing for upcoming sports seasons.

To help support participants, Sagewell will provide an athletic training tent during the camp. This space will serve as a resource for athlete wellness needs throughout the day, including prevention support, minor concerns, hydration awareness, taping or wrapping needs, and guidance if an athlete may need to pause activity.

This type of on-site support can be valuable for families and coaches. For example, if a participant begins limping after a drill or mentions discomfort that does not seem typical, having athletic trainers nearby can help guide the next step in a calm, informed way.

Parent Discussion
Families play a major role in helping young athletes stay healthy and confident. To support that role, Sagewell will host a parent discussion at 11:30 AM during the camp.

The session will focus on practical topics for parents and caregivers, including:

• Recognizing early signs of injury
• Supporting hydration, rest, and recovery
• Encouraging athletes to speak up about discomfort
• Knowing when pain or movement changes may need attention
• Helping kids build healthy habits around sports participation

The goal is to give families useful information they can carry into the school year and upcoming athletic seasons. Not every ache or sore muscle signals a serious concern, but ongoing pain, swelling, limping, weakness, or changes in performance may be signs that an athlete should be evaluated.

Celebrating Effort, Growth, and Sportsmanship
In addition to on-site support and education, Sagewell is proud to help support awards for the kids participating in the camp.

Recognition is an important part of youth athletics. Awards can celebrate more than performance alone. They can also highlight effort, leadership, teamwork, improvement, coachability, and sportsmanship.

For many young athletes, being recognized for hard work or a positive attitude can be just as meaningful as being recognized for a great play. These moments help reinforce the lessons that make youth sports valuable both on and off the field.

Strengthening Lincoln Through Collaboration
Events like the Carriker Chronicles Football Camp show what can happen when local organizations, coaches, families, and healthcare professionals work together. Youth sports are stronger when athletes are surrounded by people who care about their development, safety, and long-term well-being.

Sagewell Orthopaedics’ involvement is one example of how Lincoln-area organizations can support families beyond the walls of their own businesses. By showing up at community events, sharing expertise, and helping create positive experiences for kids, local partners help strengthen the fabric of the community.

The July 8 camp is more than a day of football. It is an opportunity to encourage young athletes, equip parents with helpful information, and celebrate the teamwork that makes Lincoln a strong place to live, work, and raise a family.

To learn more about the Carriker Chronicles Football Camp or register for the event, visit https://carrikerchronicles.com/event/carriker-chronicles-football-camp/.

To learn more about Sagewell Orthopaedics, visit https://sagewellmed.com/orthopaedics.