Cordell Volson’s youth football camp returns with new name and new faces

Cordell Volson’s second annual youth football camp is back in Harvey with a new name and new faces, giving kids in and around our state a chance to learn from players making an impact in pro and college football.

Small towns in North Dakota often offer less extracurriculars for youth compared to what’s available in a big city, but Harvey is host to Cincinnati Bengals Guard Cordell Volson’s youth football camp for a second year … allowing kids to learn from NDSU and NFL stars like Tampa Bay Buccaneers Guard and Hankinson native Cody Mauch.

“(If)You’re a small town guy, you get overlooked at little bit, and so I think that the kids came out and are taking the first step to just go to these camps is the first step to overcoming a lot of those small town obstacles,” Mauch said.

The camp is a part of Cordell’s newly founded foundation “Small Town, Big Dreams,” aiming to offer opportunities and resources to youth in rural communities.

“We want to be able to provide scholarships for kids to attend camps, weather it be academics, athletics, music, theatre, you name it. Whatever type of opportunity they’re interested in that’s far beyond athletics,” Cordell said.

The former Bison All-American hopes to show that fame shouldn’t dictate your attitude.

“We’re just normal people just like everyone else and to show kids that that’s how we are and you know, you still treat people with respect. You (should) still be a good person no matter how much success you have,” Cordell said.

“It shows them that they’re just normal guys. They’re not super heroes or anything. They’re just guys who worked hard and busted their butts to get to where they’re at,” Cordell’s Brother Tanner Volson said.

And Cordell leads by example at his camp as an active participant in drills.

“It adds so much value and I think it brings kids back every year, honestly. Me, Mason and Grey were driving in and Mason says from the back, “Well, Cordell’s already sweating,” and I wasn’t surprised at all. He’s always sweating and having a great time and very passionate about what he does,” NDSU Quarterback Cam Miller said.

More information on Cordell’s foundation: www.smalltownsfoundation.com