Bothell High boys head coach Alex Zahajko loves the game of soccer. That fact is none more evident than during a four-week stretch that began last week, when the annual Cougar Soccer Camp is held for youngsters ages 6-12 at Bothell High.

Zahajko serves as the camp director, basically running the show and making sure the approximately 150 energetic preteens, over the course of the camp, have fun and learn some lifelong soccer skills.

“I just enjoy the kids,” said Zahajko. “We have such a great community out here, and they’re just so fun to be around.”

The longtime soccer coach, who will be entering his 11th year of coaching at Bothell, takes pride in bringing back some of the program’s top soccer stars, once they’ve graduated, to coach the kids.

Leading scorer Alan Villavicencio, who pounded in 11 goals for the Cougars last year, and girls soccer and track star Alex Neil were selected to coach the first week of camps.

“Once our players have finished the program, they come back and help,” Zahajko explained. “Alan will be going on to (Bellevue College)… and Alex Neil, who just finished at Crossfire Academy, will be going to Portland State.”

While some high-school athletes would have reservations about working with kids half their age, the coaches genuinely seem to enjoy sharing the sport they love with the next generation of footballers.

“I like getting to spend time with the younger kids,” said Villavicencio, who traveled to Oregon last weekend for a soccer tournament. “I enjoy teaching them skill moves and other basic stuff.”

The camp also draws a number of more advanced youth players looking to step up their games, for which Zahajko is happy to oblige.

“The older set, we try to teach them a little more advanced techniques, with dribbling, receiving the ball and finishing,” he said. “We’ll come up with some challenges, and have a balance of coaches — one that’s a good dribbler, one that’s a good shot and a one-touch finish, so we can match up and work with them in that regard.”

But whether the kids in Zahajko’s camp go on to play through junior high and high school, or never set foot on a pitch again, he said his goals are the same.

“More than anything, we want them to enjoy it and have successes,” he said, adding that it can be challenging to match the kids up skill-wise at first. “They’re ultimately the client. We want to make sure they’re happy, wanting to come back and play soccer again.”

One of the big draws to the camp is a simulated “World Cup,” where the kids are placed on teams representing a country and play friendly matches, with an exciting penalty-kick shootout at halftime.

The four-day camp, which costs $115, also helps support Bothell High’s athletic department as a part of the proceeds go back to fund the soccer programs.

And just by watching all the smiling faces running around the field and enjoying the game, it makes all of Zahajko’s work worthwhile.

“You come out here sometimes and you’re tired, or it may not be the best weather… but you draw such great energy from the kids,” he said. “They’re so happy to be here and having a blast, and that really makes a difference.”

The camp runs through Aug. 13. For information, visit www.cougarsoccercamp.com.