Spencer Barnes is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover the Red Mountain Mountain Lions for AZPreps365.com

High school sports can teach accountability, responsibility and teamwork. Every summer at the end of July, the Red Mountain High School football team aims to build those characteristics at Pride Football Camp, held at Camp Tontozona near Payson, Arizona.

“Camp T is definitely something we all look forward to in the summers. Raising money (to pay for the camp) is difficult sometimes, but it's all worth it in the end,” Red Mountain kicker Kai Evans said.

More than 50 years ago, ASU president Grady Gammage envisioned Camp Tontozona as a platform for student learning. 

It features a Hilltop Dormitory -- a separate lodge that resembles a bunkhouse, with two distinct portions with separate entrances, dressing rooms and multi-person baths. There are 42 beds on each side. 

There's a history of tradition with Arizona State football attending the camp leading into the Sun Devils' seasons.

But with almost 65,000 kids served by Camp T, the camp's influence extends beyond the ASU campus.

Red Mountain players make memories that will last a lifetime at Camp T while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

“Camp T is very beneficial to our players both with on-the-field stuff and off-the-field by learning how to be responsible in raising money and working for a common goal to attend the camp,” Red Mountain offensive coordinator Brian McDaniel said.

The campers have to come up with the money if they wish to attend. To raise money, the football team runs a carnival in the spring as well as a golf tournament and an email campaign. 

The donors to Red Mountain don't donate to that camp; they donate to other things involved in the program. That means it's mostly on the students to find the funding.

“We have a good set of 10-15 sponsors” for high school, Red Mountain head coach Kyle Enders said. "It takes about $100,000 to run a football team."

All in all, the best part about the camp is the bonding it creates with players. That helps to build team chemistry for the following season. This year, that contributed to a run to the 6A championship game, where the Mountain Lions fell to Saguaro.

On the field, the varsity, junior varsity and freshman coaching staffs create customized daily exercises for each squad. Those can include "Big Man Competitions" and a weekly 7-on-7 scrimmage.

“No cell phones, just four days of football,” Enders said.