Run to Win summer sports camps offer more to participants than just sports.

Mike Rohrbach, founder and director of the Christian organization Run to Win Outreach, said the camps aim to teach young people how to succeed both on the field and in life.

“Our theme is we’re developing winners on and off the field,” Rohrbach said. “We really feel like we’re making a positive impact on the community through the camps, outreaches and chapels operated through Run to Win.”

As the Washington state director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Rohrbach sent 20 Washington children a year to the organization’s summer sports camps in Southern California. But Rohrbach wanted more children to have the opportunity to reap the benefits of the positive messages of sports coupled with Christianity. He also wanted to spend more time with his family.

So in 1992, after working with FCA for 14 years, Rohrbach and his wife Karen founded Run to Win.

A football camp was the only sports camp offered that first year. The camps, which are held throughout the Puget Sound region, have expanded greatly since then; this year Run to Win runs 26 camps in eight sports.

One thousand youths were expected to attend this year’s camps.

The theme this year is “Keys to Victory.”

Rohrbach said this topic is addressed during both the two-and-a-half hours of coaching and practice during each of the four-day sessions and also in the daily half hour called “Team Time.”

This is when speakers share how religion plays a role in their lives.

Oakland Raider quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, University of Washington football player Derek Johnson and former Husky women’s basketball player Sheryl Sorenson all have been guest speakers this summer. Sorenson also has coached at several basketball and soccer camps.

At the end of each daily session the campers are given a Bible verse tying in with the “Keys to Victory” theme. They are then encouraged to memorize the verse and discuss its meaning.

Tyler Taniguchi, 10, attended the speed, agility and quickness camp at King’s School this week. This was his first time at a Run to Win camp and he plans on returning next year.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “I think I’ve already improved and learned a lot of new things.”

Rohrbach, who is also the chaplain for the Seattle Sonics and volunteer chaplain for the Husky football team, is pleased with the way the camps have developed over the years.

“I’m just excited to be able to provide quality, affordable day camps for kids in the Puget Sound region that not only encourage kids in their athletic pursuits but also in life in general (and that) emphasize the importance and significance of faith.”

Dan Blackmer, assistant coach of the track and girls basketball teams and athletic director at King’s, has coached at the camps for five years. This year he was one of the coaches at the speed, agility and quickness camp at Kings.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Blackmer said. “You’re able to share your faith and put in something that’s good for them and will help them in all sports.”

The camps are open to ages 6-14 and up to age 21 for the speed, agility and quickness camps. Spots are still open for baseball and volleyball camps. The baseball camp runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 11-14 at the Meadowdale Athletic Complex and the volleyball camp is from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 11-14 at Meadowdale High School. Both camps cost $80 and scholarships are available.

The organization also offers five free camps to inner city children at Garfield High School each year.

For more information call Run to Win at 425-776-2946 or check out its Website at www.runtowin.org.