A faith-rooted youth athletic development program in James City, NC. We're new — and that means everything we build is built right from the start.
Our Mission
Rising Stars Academy exists to develop young athletes — internally and externally. We weight character, faith, and inner excellence the same as on-field development. Football is the vehicle. The destination is bigger.
Every drill, every devotion, every conversation on the field is a chance to build something that lasts beyond the score: discipline, presence, respect, and a clear sense of who you are and Whose you are.
— The Athlete's Prayer —
Lord, I am here.
Quiet my mind. Steady my heart.
Help me be fully present —
not chained to the last play,
not consumed by the next.
I will play hard. I will play right.
I will lift my teammates.
I will respect my opponents.
If I win, let me be humble.
If I lose, let me be gracious.
If I fall, I will rise.
I am more than the score.
I am Your child.
Win or lose, this is for Your glory.
Make me a Rising Star —
for Your name, not mine.
Amen.What We Teach
These aren't slogans on a wall. They're the framework we coach by, the standards we hold athletes to, and the language we use every day on the field.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." — Matthew 6:34
Not chained to the last play. Not consumed by the next. We coach athletes to lock in to what's in front of them — the rep, the read, the moment — because that's where the game is actually won.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." — Colossians 3:23
The score will be forgotten. The character we build won't. Every athlete leaves camp understanding that effort, integrity, and faith aren't extras — they're the whole point.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." — Proverbs 4:23
Talent gets you on the field. Character keeps you there. We train the inside the same way we train the outside — daily, deliberately, with the same patience and high expectations.
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." — Matthew 20:26
It's not about being the best in the world. It's about being the best for the world. The best teammate. The best son or daughter. The best version of who God made you to be.
Common Questions
Here's what most parents want to know before they sign up. Don't see your question? Reach out — we'll get back to you fast.
Camp is open to athletes ages 6–14. We divide kids into age groups so they train and compete with peers their own size and skill level.
Football is launching summer 2026. Basketball and soccer are on the roadmap for future seasons. Football camp is co-ed and welcomes athletes of all skill levels — from first-time players to seasoned competitors.
Two things. First, we weight character, faith, and "inner excellence" the same as on-field development. Daily devotion, prayer, and lessons rooted in scripture are part of the curriculum — not an afterthought.
Second, our coaching philosophy takes inspiration from teachings pulled from the New York Times #1 bestseller Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy — used by pro athletes such as A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, PGA Tour winners Stewart Cink and Vaughn Taylor, NHL defenseman Kevin Connauton, and Teddy Scott (caddie to world #1 Scottie Scheffler), among others. We're teaching kids how to perform under pressure by training the mind and the spirit alongside the body.
Each day blends drills, instruction, devotion, and fun. Athletes work on technique, position-specific skills, and game situations — with breaks for water, snack, and structured fun games.
The full breakdown lives on the Schedule page.
James City, NC. The exact location will be confirmed by Friday, June 8th — registered families will receive the venue address, parking instructions, and field map by email as soon as it's locked in.
Cleats or athletic shoes (whichever fits the day's drills), a refillable water bottle, a mouthguard (recommended but not required), sunscreen (we'll have it on hand too), lunch, and any medications they need. We provide everything else — including the custom shirt and drawstring bag every athlete walks away with.
Every $75 week includes all coaching, drills, devotion time, AND a custom NFL combine-style shirt with your athlete's name and number plus their favorite positions, and a matching drawstring bag. Late registrations are still welcome but the custom gear can only be guaranteed if you register by your week's cutoff date.
Beyond the day-to-day, every dollar of registration also goes back into the program — investing in better equipment, better training tools, and a better experience for every camper as RSA grows.
We don't want money to be the reason a kid misses out. Reach out to us and we'll work something out — no questions asked, no awkward conversations.
Rising Stars is a Christian program. Daily camp activities include prayer and biblical devotion woven into the on-field teaching. We're up-front about it during registration so families can make an informed decision. Athletes from all backgrounds are welcome — but every athlete will participate in the daily devotion as part of the program.
Most likely yes. Disclose any allergies, conditions, or medications during registration so our coaches know what to watch for. If you want to discuss specific accommodations beforehand, just reach out and we'll talk it through.
Camp fees are generally non-refundable once registration is confirmed. If we cancel a week (weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances) we'll either credit your account toward another week or issue a refund. Withdrawals for personal reasons are reviewed case-by-case — reach out and we'll work with you.
Online registration closes automatically once each week's cutoff date has passed. If you missed the cutoff but still want your athlete in, reach out to us — we'll do what we can. The custom name-and-number shirt and drawstring bag can only be guaranteed for athletes registered before the cutoff.
Pick your weeks, fill out the form, and we'll see you on the field. Summer 2026 registration is open now.
Register Now