CHUCK BALLARO James Johnson, 14, does a blocking drill during the Tommy Bohanon Foundation football clinic Saturday at Moody Field. CHUCK BALLARO

“We’re here to provide them with instruction and make sure they can get through these drills safely,” Bohanon said. “We’re able to provide them with feedback so that they’re able to play safely.”

More than 270 campers from first through eighth grade did drills, caught passes, blocked, ran and hit some dummies in the same way Bohanon did when he played in college and the pros.

The high school kids got to come out and volunteer, which counts on their community service requirements. There was also a medical team there in the event kids got hurt or dehydrated.

Bohanon said they tried to cap the number of campers at 250, but about 20 kids came as walk-ons, and Bohanon said he would not keep anyone from participating, so they got to play.

Tommy Bohanon gets ready to kick things off during the Tommy Bohanon Foundation football clinic at Moody Field in 2022. FILE

Bohanon, who started his foundation while still an NFL player, said through the six years, many of the kids who started as campers have grown through it and are now volunteers.

“I’m glad we’re able to keep these kids and give them a great day of fun and then want to come back and give back,” Bohanon said.

Katie Bohanon, Tommy’s wife, said there would still be some protocols, such as vehicle drop-offs and making sure the equipment is clean and wiped off regularly, as they did while doing the camp during COVID.

“We always want to make sure the kids have this opportunity to come out and enjoy a day of football and fun,” Katie said. “The first year is always an experience, but we’ve always run a tight ship and we’ve grown.”

Many of those who came to volunteer include experienced Pop Warner and high school coaches such as Marcus Haupt, who is now JV and freshman head coach at Riverdale and defensive coordinator for the North Fort Myers Pop Warner 12U team.

“It’s awesome to see Tommy giving back to the community. We have so many athletes come from the area and few step up,” said Haupt, who worked with the offensive and defensive lines. “He’s one of those who does everything for our athletes and makes sure it comes back to Southwest Florida.”

North High head coach Dwayne Mack was there to help Haupt coach.

“I’m just a volunteer helping out the kids and Tommy does a great job of giving back to the community and building the brand. He’s the guy you think about when you think of hard-working people in North Fort Myers,” Mack said.

James Johnson, 14, whose father is a coach at North, was one of the campers who went through the rotation.

“I’m used to doing these drills. I’ve been doing this since I was 5. I love the experience and fun I get with this camp,” Johnson said. “I love the contact when I play. I play defensive tackle, so I love to hit.”

The Tommy Bohanon Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting young athletes to reach their highest potential on and off the playing field.