POTSDAM -- Cincinnati Bengals running back and Gouverneur native Brian Leonard will return to St. Lawrence County to host his fifth annual youth football camp from June 28 through July 1.

The Brian Leonard Football Camp, for players entering grades 1 through 12, will be held for the second year at SUNY Potsdam.

Leonard, a graduate of Gouverneur High School, held his first camp in 2008. In 2009, the former Rutgers University football star moved his camp to his home region because opportunities were limited for youth to participate in football programs and summer camps.

Last year, nearly 100 campers were able to participate. Leonard's goal is to provide some guidance to young athletes who have limited football opportunities.

The Leonard Camp curriculum takes a hands-on approach. Leonard participates in the daily camp sessions with three objectives: to educate the campers in fundamental football skills in an environment that is both enjoyable and safe, with non-contact play; to utilize the expertise of top-level high school and college coaches with dedication to teaching youth and promoting good sportsmanship; and to provide a program that produces measurable results.

Leonard has invited fellow NFL players to join him at camp. In 2010 and 2011, Trevor Scott, New England Patriots defensive end, was a guest coach. Scott was a football star at Potsdam High School and SUNY Buffalo. He and Leonard were once high school rivals but now share the goal of supporting youth football activities in the North Country.

Campers have been recognized for their contributions to their teams. The 2011 Watertown Daily Times All-North Football Team included Shane Gould and Mark Horne from Gouverneur High School and Jay Proulx from Canton High School. Gould also received the Section 10 Don Petty Award, given to the player in the section that best exemplifies hard work, character, and sportsmanship on and off the field.

Camp Director Dan Duddy, head football coach at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River, N.J., was named 2011 All-Star Catholic High School Coach of the Year by Chicago-based Sports Faith International.

The camp offers both overnight and day camp options at SUNY Potsdam. Daily sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The cost of the camp is $245 for the day camp and $475 for the overnight camp.

Information and registration forms can be found at www.leonardcamps.com or by calling (732) 597-3126. Email inquiries can be sent to info@leonardcamps.com.

For the second year, the camp will also offer a youth coaching clinic for youth football coaches Saturday, June 30 from 11:15 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. The cost is $50.

The Brian Leonard Football Camp is operated by the Toms River-based Elite Camp Services (ECS).