Kari Gibb/MDN Camp attendees work on running back drills at the second year of the 2024 Small Towns, Big Dreams foundation football camp in Harvey.

HARVEY – Established in 1893, due to railroad expansion, Harvey had a 2020 census tally of 1650 residents. That number has nearly doubled for two days in June both last year and this year. Local athlete Cordell Volson ran his first football camp for small town athletes last June and, with the formation of his ‘Small Towns, Big Dreams’ foundation, grew that camp this June.

“We had 418 athletes last year,” said Volson, who is currently on break from the Cincinnati Bengals. “This year we had 520 at the camp from small communities all over North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana – even Arizona.”

The camp, held Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Harvey, was packed with cars, parents, spectators and young athletes who dream of playing alongside Volson in the NFL someday.

“We have 20-30 minutes scripted out of each practice to help teach life skills and share our stories,” said Volson. “After each session 5 coaches will talk about their core values and what they learned along their journey. For the high school group we have one of our college coaches talk about the recruiting process to help each participant learn as much as possible.”

When dealing with hundreds of kids, keeping their attention is vital as part of the planning and execution of such an endeavor.

“The biggest thing for handling the growth is by keeping a really good coach to player ratio,” said Volson. “We want each participant to have as much time with the coaches as possible!”

In the first year, the camp had 24 coaches participate. Of that group, 21 returned and 11 more were added for 32 in the 2024 version.

“We really pushed the message that I [each coach] was just like all of these kids,” said Volson. “That it really is possible to achieve whatever it [the dream] is in life.”

The event will likely continue to grow and expand. One participants’ father stated that his child has been a ‘Cordell fan’ since birth, and they would have been at last year’s camp had they known about it despite living over 60 miles from Harvey.

“We have people staying at the one hotel in town,” said Wendy Volson, Cordell’s mother. “People bring campers, stay with family or friends- anywhere they can.”

The goals behind the newly formed foundation are still being organized and fleshed out. Volson would like to see the youth of rural communities understand that regardless of the population or zip code, today’s world is small by comparison and opportunities are obtainable based on desire and commitment to effort.

“As the foundation’s goal says, ‘Small Towns Big Dreams mission is to help provide young people in rural communities with the resources and opportunities they need to pursue their dreams. We believe that every kid deserves the opportunity to shine and make their community proud’ and we want to keep expanding that cause,” said Volson. “We are hoping to plan a gala for next March. This is something that is still in the works.”

Names and titles of those that coached this year are listed below;

Cordell Volson-Camp Coordinator-(Cincinnati Bengals LG)

Tanner Volson-OL-Rimington Award Winner, All-American at NDSU, Former NY Giant and LA Charger

Grey Zabel-OL-(LT at NDSU)

Spencer Waege-DL-(DT Green Bay Packers)

Mason Miller-OL-(RT NDSU)

Cody Mauch-OL-(Tampa Bay Buccaneers RG)

Dustin Yorek- (OC at Valley City State)

Bob Bartz-TE-(Played at Minot State, Coaches at Velva/Drake/Anamoose/Garrison)

Jason Challeen-(Coaches at the University of Jamestown)

Casey Weinmann-Played at Minot State Coaches at Harvey/Wells County

Jacob Copenhaven-Played at Northern State coaches at West Fargo Sheyenne

Brandon Bourma-Coaches at Valley City State

Hunter Schuh-Coaches at Harvey-Wells county

Jeremiah Sirles-OL-6 year NFL Olineman (Chargers,Vikings, Bills, Panthers)

Brent Danks-Played at Minot State coaches at Stanley

Jonah Lietz-coaches at University of Jamestown

Levi Lemer-Played at Mayville State coaches at Rugby

Cam Miller-QB-NDSU starting QB

Lane Tucker-DL-Played at NDSU

MJ Stumpf-LB-Played at NDSU

Josh Kittel-QB-Played at the University of Jamestown and was a college coach for 13 years

Bret Dockter-Camp Coordinator-Harvey/Wells County Head Coach

Gary Dockter-Harvey/Wells County Assistant Coach

Shane Clancy-LB-University of Jameston

Matt Chauvin-QB-University of Jameston

Madden Thorson-WR- Plays at MSUM

Bo Belquist-WR Plays at UND

Eli Luna-DB Played at VCSU

Shayden Luna-L Played at VCSU coaches at St. Marys

Tyler Kosel-DB/QB Fargo South Head Coach

Jalen Pfeifer-QB- Played at VCSU coaches at North Prairie

Andrew Rott-RB/LB- Played at University of Jamestown Now coaches at West Fargo Sheyenne