The teams who played the first-ever game of flag football in Morocco.

Youth in the south of Morocco have little to no access to structured activities outside of their regular school day. This fact is only exaggerated during the long summer months on the edge of the Sahara Desert. With this in mind, Peace Corps Volunteers, in collaboration with local youth sports group, are putting on the first ever American Football Summer Camp in Morocco.

The vast majority of Moroccan youth have never even heard of American Football. When Peace Corps Volunteers introduced footballs into local youth centers, Moroccan youth inevitably ask, "Why do you have a rugby ball?" With this in mind, this camp will be used as a forum for cultural exchange by introducing a large number of student athletes to the sport of American flag football.

In addition, this camp will publicize and increase enrollment in the "American Flag Football League Morocco" that has recently been created by Peace Corps Volunteers. This unique camp experience will bring youth from different regions together and serve as a platform to inspire them to benefit from participation in organized American football in the future.

This camp will take place over five days in July of 2012. In addition to learning the fundamentals of football, the camp will focus on the importance of such life skills as leadership, teamwork, and dedication.

The American football youth camp will help spread awareness throughout North Africa about the merits of studying this great sport, and will support the personal growth of Moroccan youth in the process!

Please contact the Peace Corps office to assist with funding or sponsorship and with any questions: donate@peacecorps.gov

Morocco successfully played the nation's first American Flag Football game in march at the Goulmima Stadium as the Erfoud Desert Stars beat the Goulmima American Football Club in a close game.