Girls’ soccer enthusiasts entering grades 3 to 9 may be six or more years — or only a few weeks — away from stepping on the Newtown High School soccer field in Nighthawk uniforms but they all got on the Treadwell Park field with current members of the varsity Hawks during a mid-July summer camp.

The Future Nighthawks Girls’ Soccer Camp, led by NHS Girls’ Soccer Coach Adam Bourret, allowed for the youngest players to learn basics and the more experienced campers to sharpen skills as they prepare for fall soccer at one level or another. Camp sessions were held July 15-18 for three hours each morning.

Shooting, passing, dribbling, throw-in drills, and more unfolded and fun was had by all. Bourret said main objectives of the camp were for participants to get “as many touches as possible and ultimately just have fun, love the game, enjoy the game.”

Most of the 28 camp participants have been ball girls at the high school games on the Blue & Gold Stadium sidelines. “The goal is to, one day, be on the field at Blue & Gold,” Bourret said.

Camper and incoming freshman Sadie Singlak said she has been conditioning and training throughout the summer and is excited for the current high school players while also anticipating her first days of high school soccer.

Bourret had the help of varsity players Jaime Rowan, Eren Weiss, Lola Kessler, and Aashni Shetty who served as coaches and enjoyed working with younger players, whose shoes (make that cleats) they were in not many years ago.

“I love working with them and showing them what we know. One day they’ll be in our position,” NHS player/ camp coach Eren Weiss said.

Many of the campers have several years of youth soccer ahead before moving on to the high school ranks but will be able to put their summer preparation to the test in youth games beginning this September.

“We hope they keep playing and come to the high school team,” Rowan said.

The varsity Hawks will begin preseason in August and will get set for their first game scheduled for Thursday, September 5, at Pomperaug of Southbury beginning at 7 pm. The first home game is set for Tuesday, September 17, when Weston visits Blue & Gold at 6 pm.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.