The sights and sounds of the Chris Wondolowski Soccer Camp were like any other soccer camp. Children ran around, playing the sport they love, laughing and smiling. That's exactly what the organizers envisioned.
 
"I wanted the kids to just be able to play again," camp organizer Robby Busick said. "All these other stressors and things to worry about—for one day, let's get them out on the field and just do what they're able to do and enjoy the day as much as possible and be normal again for a little bit."
 
Things have been far from normal for the youth of Paradise and its surrounding communities since the morning of November 8, when the Camp Fire that ravaged the area set out on its deadly path, eventually growing into the most destructive wildfire in California history.
 
Immediately, plans were set in motion to help in any and every way imaginable. Busick started by driving his Truck-a-Roni food truck to the Walmart parking lot to help provide food to the hundreds of evacuees who were staying there. He eventually helped distribute blankets and clothing there.
 
Soon the Chico State men's soccer alumnus came up with another idea.
 
"It dawned on me that there were hundreds of kids who love soccer who had lost all their soccer gear in the fires," Busick said. "The soccer community has always been a tight-knit group that cares for each other, and this was an opportunity to do that."

 
Busick, who played for Chico State from 2002–04, reached out to his former teammates and his brother, Chad, with the idea, and the seeds for the Chris Wondolowski Soccer Camp were planted.
 
It was not long until at least five decades of Chico State men's soccer players and coaches, other local coaches, and organizations from far and wide were on board to help. Chad Busick's company, Advanced Sports Technology, provided workshops for coaches, athletes, and parents in the two nights leading up to the camp. 
 
As the darkness faded, giving way to a rainy, grey, and chilly Saturday morning, the camp's organizers wondered how many kids would show up. They organized hundreds of new cleats, turf shoes, socks, shorts, and shin guards—donated by Nike, Soccer.com, the San Jose Earthquakes, and others—placing them on tarps and tables around the high school track.
 
Soon, like the rain drops, excited campers began trickling in. Soon, the precipitation petered out, and the campers continued flooding in, eventually topping 100.
 
Gear was provided for all who needed it. And following the camp, impacted members of the local soccer community were encouraged to collect all they needed to keep playing in the days, weeks, and months to follow. They were also encouraged to pick out gear for their friends who could not attend the camp.
 
Busick and Wondolowski played together on the 2003 Chico State team that advanced to the NCAA Championship match. Many of their former teammates were also involved in the camp. But they were not alone. Together, players from the 1970s to current head coach Felipe Restrepo and at least a dozen current Wildcats represented more than a half-century of men's soccer.
 
"What an event. What a day," said Restrepo. "These guys (the alumni from the 2003 team) have really done a great job continuing the tradition of Chico State men's soccer and teaching the new guys what it means to be a Wildcat."
 
Wondolowski was undoubtedly the camp's main draw. The former Wildcat has become arguably the most accomplished Division II athlete in professional sports while starring for Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes. He'll enter next season two goals away from eclipsing Landon Donovan's MLS record for career goals.

 
Wondo, as he is known by friends and fans alike, already holds many Major League Soccer records, including goals for one club (140), road goals (67) and double-digit goals scored in consecutive seasons (nine). At the international level, Wondolowski has made 35 appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.
 
He set the tone early, telling the campers, "I'm so lucky to get to be the fun uncle and just play soccer with you guys today."
 
And that's what he did. For six hours, every camper had a chance to take the ball or a pass from Wondo. Dominik Jakubek, the goalkeeper on the Wildcats' 2003 squad and a long-time Sacramento Republic player was also there to teach goalkeeping skills and clown around with the kids.
 
Approximately 120 children showed up, many of them emerging from the Camp Fire's reach, including a number of members of the Paradise High School boys and girls teams.
 
"I could never explain how it felt. It's just so overwhelming," Paradise High senior Jaycee Brawley, who plays for the Bobcats' girls soccer team that had just started its season.
 
Brawley and her teammate and friend, Sarah Ianziti, another senior, both called the camp a stress reliever.
 
"I miss my teachers, I miss the classrooms," said Ianziti, who ran from her home with her soccer gear during the evacuation and is now taking online classes at the mall.
 
But Saturday, the two smiled as did so many others, while playing with friends new and old.
 
That sense of camaraderie was not missed by those involved like Jesse Grigg, a standout defender from 2000–03 who joined former teammates to lend time at the camp.
 

"We're 15 years out from our national championship run, and we're all still as close as we were then," Grigg said. "So, when Robby reached out with the idea, we all jumped at the chance."
 
For once, seeing his former teammates wasn't the highlight.
 
"The kids are great. A lot of enthusiasm. A lot of energy," Grigg said. "It's great to see their positive energy for the game, being in happy spirits."
 
Mike O'Malley, who played for Chico State in the 1970s and coached the team from 1996–2007, was on hand for it all and beaming with pride from sunup to sundown.
 
"I couldn't be prouder. It's one of those life lessons," O'Malley said. "I've always said, 'I don't coach soccer. I coach people.' They're a perfect example."
 
Nearly every one of the campers asked Wondolowski for an autograph or to take a photo. He was more than happy to oblige every time.
 
"I get to see joy in their faces, and that's what brings it to mine," Wondolowski said. "It's truly inspiring."
 
Wondolowski enjoyed the experience as much as any of the campers, smiling and playing throughout the day. He was happy to give back to the foothill communities that neighbored his college town.
 
"I spent a fair amount of time up there. I knew the streets. I knew the area," he said. "It struck home. It hit a chord very close. I am truly humbled to have a chance to spend the day with these kids and grateful they came out to spend the day with us. It's been an amazing day."
 
In the end, the event netted nearly $7,000 to the North Valley Community Foundation and gave the local youth soccer community a chance to meet some of their heroes. And as the cloud-concealed sun made its way below the tree line, the 50-plus volunteers emptied trashes, broke down boxes, and turned off the kids pop music that had been playing on the north end of the stadium since morning.
 
A sudden hush fell of the stadium that had echoed all day with the sounds of laughter, autograph requests, Jakubek's dad jokes, and goal celebrations. Speaking was unnecessary. Attitudes of pride, joy, and the satisfaction that comes with doing a job you are uniquely qualified to do, and doing it well, expressed all that needed to be said.