The Jeremiah Castille Character Camp is returning to Cullman, with plenty of surprise guest coaches and an anticipated large crowd of area students learning a variety of skills.

Entering its 11th year, the camp is free to area students because of local sponsors who provide the fees. The camp is set June 9 at Oliver Woodard Stadium in Cullman. Students in grades one through 12 are eligible to participate.

“This is the 11th year of the camp in Cullman County and the 10th that it’s free,” said T.J. Franey, who has been involved in the planning of the event since its beginning.

The first year started as a paid event, but when it came to the attention of organizers that one child could not afford to attend local sponsors got together with Castille, a former University of Alabama and National Football League star, to provide the camp for free.

“We can never than our sponsors enough for stepping forward and working to ensure that students who want to be a part of the camp can do so,” Franey said. “They learn about football, speed and agility, but the message in the camp is about character.”

Past years have seen stars such as Minkah Fitizpatrick, Miller Forristall and J.K. Scott as well as other NFL stars arrive in camp to work with students.

The crowd the last few years has been around 150 students, but this year Franey said a much larger turnout is expected.

“We have a lot planned this year, including a clinic for area coaches,” she said. “After the event the participants will have dinner at St. Johns Church.”

To register contact the Cullman County Board of Education at 402 Arnold Street NE, Cullman, or call Franey or Leah Sapp at 256-590-4803 and 256-734-2933.

Registration forms may be faxed to 256-736-2488.