Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC), one of the nation’s largest and most trusted youth soccer organizations, offers international, educational soccer tours for CRYSC membership. These international soccer trips include fully customized itineraries, access to world-renowned youth academies and facilities, and an opportunity for players, coaches, and families to expand their horizons while being immersed in a soccer culture.
Trips will be offered for players across all five regions of the Club. Competitive & Elite Program members will have access to a composite, club-wide trip at every age group from 11U through 19U, with each tour targeting a unique international soccer destination. In addition to club-wide travel offerings, individual teams from any region, age, program, and level can work with the Director of Club and International Partnerships, Jeff Oleck, to create their own custom trip experience encompassing the destination, dates, and purpose that best fits the team. The role of the Director of Club and International Partnerships is to provide members with a seamless experience from trip sign-up to tour departure.
Jeff Oleck is CRYSC’s residential international traveler and former Director of Goalkeeping. Jeff has planned and overseen dozens of international trips for soccer players, alongside his passion project as a core representative for Field of Dreams Uganda – a non-profit organization that provides hope, empowerment, and a future to the vulnerable children in Uganda through the vehicles of soccer and education.
Director of International Travel
USSF “A” License
Traveler, 24 Countries Visited
Jeff.Oleck@
303.834.7328
| Competitive Age Group | Destination* | Trip Meeting Date**: | Travel Dates | Registration Deadline |
| 2013 (12U) BOYS | London & Manchester | August 6, 2024 | March 7-15, 2025 | November 17, 2024 |
| 2013 (12U) GIRLS | London & Manchester | August 6, 2024 | March 14-22, 2025 | November 24, 2024 |
| 2011 (14U) BOYS | Barcelona & Madrid | August 15, 2024 | March 7-15, 2025 | November 17, 2024 |
| 2011 (14U) GIRLS | Barcelona & Madrid | August 15, 2024 | March 14-22, 2025 | November 24, 2024 |
| 2010-2009 (15U-16U) BOYS & GIRLS | Costa Rica | July 29, 2024 | January 17-24, 2025 | CLOSED |
| 2008-06 (17U-19U) BOYS & GIRLS | TBC | TBC | June 2025 | TBC |
Usually held 6-8 months prior to travel. Review of the itinerary, education about fundraising and payment plans, and registration opens.
Trip meeting documents for meetings that have occurred can be found in the Trip Slate table above. Video recordings of meetings will be available for 4 weeks after the trip meeting, please inquire with CRYSC International Travel director for the meeting recording links.
Registrants will receive a $150 discount if they register within 10 days of the trip meeting.
Once registered, individuals can take advantage of various fundraising resources provided by the tour provider. Teams/groups can also facilitate their own fundraising in their local regions and communities. Click here to view the Fundraising Guide!
Trip registration will close 120 days prior to the departure date. Any registrations after this point may be subject to a “late registration fee”. This timeline allows the tour provider to finalize ticketing, tours, hotels, and soccer content.
CRYSC Coaching staff will facilitate training sessions prior to departure in order to familiarize players with one another. Pre-Departure meetings will be held to finalize the itinerary, review packing list, and answer any questions from participants.
“The Costa Rica trip was the best trip I’ve ever been on. Everything was perfect and looking back I can’t think of a single thing I’d want to change. We got to work with amazing coaches and players and I met both Costa Rican and American friends that I am still in contact with and will last me a lifetime. .”
Mollie, Rapids CRYSC Player, Costa Rica ’24
“Our son flew to Spain with 16 strangers, and in a few short days, he gained several lifelong friends! In addition, he felt valued and appreciated as a player in the Rapids environment, and his coaches took his training to the next level. Much appreciated!“
Marena, CRYSC Parent, Spain ’24
“Our family had an incredible travel experience with CRYSC this summer. In a short time, players grew as a team and expanded their mental soccer capabilities. Players were exposed to a different style of play and bonded quickly with Irish teammates over their mutual love of soccer. Families had the opportunity to attend a professional soccer match, sightsee, and leave the trip with an incredible appreciation of Irish culture. This experience is something we will remember fondly for years to come.”
Ryan & Elaine, CRYSC Parents, Ireland ’22
“Playing against elite youth in England was eye-opening. The physicality and intensity were like nothing our boys had seen before. There’s only so much you can learn in a week on the pitch, but what really stuck with him was how good you have to be to continue to play at an elite level. It was humbling, yet amazingly beneficial. Even three years later, we still talk about the stadium tours, the scrimmages, the landmarks, the hotels, the friends and the fun we had.”
Robert & Christina, CRYSC Parents, England ’19
“I thought the trip was an amazing experience and truly was a great time playing the sport I love with some of my close friends. I feel this trip brought me closer to my teammates and fellow Rapids members and made me a better player.”
Noah B., CRYSC Player, Germany ’23
“My daughter and her teammates thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Spain. They trained and played competitive games against Spanish teams. Combining soccer and tourism was a fantastic way to spend our spring break.”
Sean O., CRYSC Parent, Spain ’23
“The soccer-centric activities and tours are what makes this tour. We got to experience the extreme depths of football culture. Our experience included professional matches, touring incredible stadiums (some state of the art), and playing a few teams whose love of the game will match your player’s passion for the sport.”
Sara W., CRYSC Parent, England ’23
“I believe international experiences like this open the eyes of the players to a world outside their comfort zone. It will certainly develop them as soccer players, but more importantly, it will develop them as people.”
Miguel R., CRYSC Staff, Spain ’23
“Our 2022 summer trip to Ireland was a life changer not only for my son but also for me. We saw firsthand the passion for soccer, history, and culture during each stop along the way. The behind-the-scenes access was incredible! I had been to Ireland before but this was an entirely different and deeper experience. Seeing my son’s jaw drop at not only the level of soccer talent but also the national and natural treasures have left a lasting impression on him. I personally loved getting to know the families better and seeing them on the sidelines today is a whole different ball game. Most importantly, the bonds the boys formed having traveled and played internationally will pay them dividends for a lifetime!”
Greg B, CRYSC Parent, Ireland ’22
“This was an amazing trip. It was very well organized and had a great mix of soccer and sightseeing. The tour directors were fantastic, fun, and very knowledgeable. The coaching staff were fun, friendly, and so good with the boys. My son loved it. Overall, it was the experience of a lifetime and I’m so glad we went. “
Ryan H., CRYSC Parent, Germany ’23
CRYSC international tours are a great way for players to experience soccer through the lens of a different culture! From playing local competition, experiencing different environments, and seeing new sights, there's so much to be gained from expanding one's horizon and taking your game abroad!
Under the direction of Next Wave ally Jeff Oleck, Director of International Partnerships, the club has created space for three all-girls trips (U12G in 2023, U14G in 2023, and U12G in 2024) over the last year. In addition, seven out of the twelve staff members on these trips have been women. These trips show the leverage of our club resources to intentionally create space for young girls to travel, compete, and connect with other players and coaches from different regions.
This March, a group of 18 Rapids Youth Soccer 12U girls, hailing from various CRYSC regions, embarked on an extraordinary expedition through England. Accompanied by their families, they explored the vibrant cities of London, Manchester, and Liverpool. From watching Premier League and Super League matches to playing friendlies against local teams to learning more about the rich history of English football, our 12U girls experienced the trip of a lifetime!
This March, 16 Rapids Youth Soccer 14U boys from across our regions embarked on a remarkable journey through Spain, blending soccer, culture, and camaraderie. Read about their trip and relive the highlights!
This March, 16 Rapids Youth Soccer 14U boys from across our regions embarked on a remarkable journey through Spain, blending soccer, culture, and camaraderie. Read about their trip and relive the highlights!
Through the week of March 20th, 77 Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club players, families, and staff traveled to Spain, where they took a similar path to the boy’s group the week before - but had their own unique experiences and created their own special memories in Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Madrid.
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In collaboration with Regional Technical Directors and Coaching Directors, the travel dates for each age group take into consideration: soccer season rhythm, tournament & showcase conflicts, destination pricing, destination’s soccer season rhythm, and minimizing school absences. We understand that trip dates will not perfectly fit everyone’s individual schedule, but by announcing trips 8-10 months in advance we hope that players & families can plan ahead for any missed school, soccer, or social events.
Depending on the trip registrations from each team, there may be opportunities for players from different team levels to be combined in order to form a viable travel & playing roster. Our goal will always be to create the most competitive roster for enjoyment and parity.
Yes! Teams that have an interest in traveling as a group may work with the Director of Club and International Partnerships to create a custom trip for their team. We encourage the team to survey the desire amongst the team 10-12 months prior to potential travel dates so that plenty of time can be allocated to designing the itinerary and fundraising.
Yes! Upon registration for any of our trips, participants will have access to their online travel portal which contains the “Gift of Sport” fundraiser and the Manchester United Raffle. Both avenues allow players to keep 100% of funds raised and apply it to their trip costs. Players & Teams can also create group fundraisers prior to travel and use the WorldStrides “Fundraising Guide” as a resource for ideas.
Absolutely. Upon registration, only a deposit is required and then families can decide to set up a payment plan from the options provided HERE.
