Camp Alumni: Dwayne De Rosario

Written by Kimberley Fowler

Dwayne De Rosario, also known as “Dero,” is a professional soccer player. Best known for his role as a Forward for the Canadian men’s national soccer team, as well as for DC United (Major League Soccer), Dwayne is a star athlete in Canada and abroad.

We spoke with Dwayne about the time he spent at St. Maria Goretti Summer Day Camp in 1985, and the impact that camp had on his soccer career and his life.

Why did your parents send you to camp?

I think my parents sent my brothers and I to camp for the experience and to keep us active throughout the summer. We were three boys with a lot of energy and keeping us home during the summer days was probably a recipe for disaster. At camp, I was able to meet new friends and do a bunch of fun activities within a great learning environment.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned at camp?

The most valuable lesson I learned from camp is to always keep an open mind to try new things. Although soccer has always been one of my favourite sports, I really enjoyed exploring different activities at camp. I remember doing a lot of painting, making masks out of plaster, baking and even playing different sports, like volleyball and baseball.

What is your most memorable camp moment?

I remember we took a trip to the CNE with other local school day camps. That was one of my first times going to the CNE and I remember the bus ride down and the excitement of playing some games and possibly winning a stuffed animal. We must have spent the whole day there and before I knew it I was back on the bus heading back home, with that stuffed animal of course.

Is there a funny story that resonates when you think of camp?

Not one in particular, but I do remember that my brothers and I always cracked jokes with the other kids and had a good time laughing together.

How did your camp experience play a role in your career journey?

Many of the activities we did at camp emphasized teamwork and supporting one another. These are things that have helped shape who I am today, as a person, and also as a professional athlete.

Not only have I had the opportunity to be a part of some great teams in my career but I have also learned the importance of being a supportive teammate for my colleagues on and off the field. We all support one another, which is important for motivating each other and creating strong team morale.

How has camp influenced your personal relationships and hobbies?

Support and the importance of teamwork have not only been important in my professional life, but my personal life as well.

As a husband and father of four children, I constantly try to teach my kids the importance and value of working together as a family. I think this helps us stay close, allowing my kids and wife to feel like they can always share what’s on their minds with me, and vice versa.

Also, camp inspired me to be a role model. Many of the counselors at our summer camp were great leaders who took an active interest in our learning and development. I think I have been able to transfer this experience to my Dero United training and development clinics, where I strive to be a role model for the kids in my local and international community.

Do you stay in touch with friends from camp?

Yes, many of the kids my brothers and I attended camp with are still some of our closest friends. While it isn’t always easy to see them, I try my best to connect with them when I am in town.

Do you recommend parents send their kids to camp?

I would definitely recommend parents send their kids to a camp of their interest. I think it is important because it helps them explore their interests, and develop their social skills by meeting new people.

When I was younger, there was not as much variety in the types of camps as there is today, so I would recommend parents spend time going over camp options with their kids. Overall, I believe camp has a positive influence and can play a key role in the growth of a child.