Alex Barnes and soccer make the perfect mix.

Barnes will be adding already to his broad soccer knowledge and skill next week during the Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp at the Dwight Mikel Athletic Complex.

The 11-year-old from Andalusia will join boys and girls his age and older for a camp that is brings its own brand of innovative practices, coached games, camp world cup, cultural education, character building and fun.

Barnes said he’s looking forward to getting out in the summer heat to have fun with his friends.

“I get to see several of my friends that are playing soccer every day at the camp,” he said. “The coaches are fun, too.”

Campers will learn individual foot skills, fakes, moves and turns, freestyle soccer, technical and tactical instruction and other skills rom two instructors who are British.

The camp lasts from July 22-26, and there are different camp options based on the child’s age.

The mini soccer camp, for boys and girls ages 3-5, is from 5:30-7 p.m. Cost is $93. The half day camp, for boys and girls ages 6-14, is from 9 a.m. until noon. Cost is $113. The full day camp, for boys and girls ages 6-14, is from 9 a.m. until noon, and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $170.

All players receive a soccer ball, camp T-shirt and evaluation.

Specific things Barnes, who will make his fourth appearance at the camp, said he really wants to learn this year are the scissor kick and to pass the ball.

Barnes said his favorite part of the camp is the World Cup game that’s played each year. Kids are split up into different groups and given a country to choose to represent. From there, the campers will learn about the culture of the country they chose, and the cup will commence.

Barnes said he played on Argentina and Spain in years past and they’d won off and on.

In the lead up to the World Cup, campers get to create their country’s flag, which is also a fun activity, Barnes said.

For those interested in participating the camp, call Caitlin Shipman of the City of Andalusia at 222-2714.

Send checks, payable to Challenger Sports, and applications to Challenger Sports, 2814 Spring Rd., Suite 205, Atlanta, Ga., 30339.

Online registration is held at www.challengersports.com.