New Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said at Estero Recreation Center Tuesday his team’s fan base is aging.

He is determined to begin a youth movement in Collier and Lee counties. One of the first steps takes place July 29, when the Dolphins host a free youth football clinic for 350 youths ages 6-14 at Fort Myers’ Buckingham Park.

Participants for the first of what the Dolphins said will be many local camps will be selected by Peace River Conference Pop Warner, the Naples Gators and the YMCAs of Southwest Florida. The public is encouraged to attend. A cheerleading session for about 100 will be held in conjunction with the football clinic.

“From our point of view, we have to be active participants in the community,” Dee said. “We want to be the team of choice. We’re a sports franchise where we play games on the field, but we also have a higher obligation to impact kids.”.

Former Dolphins linebacker Twan Russell, with former Pro Bowl receiver Nat Moore, leads the team’s alumni activities and youth programs, will be in charge of the clinic. He’ll be joined by six current and former Dolphins, although Tuesday he was not sure what players.

The three main points of the eight major positions – running back, quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, defensive backs, linebackers and defensive line – will be covered with all attendees. Then they’ll be divided by age and led through drills.

The last time the Dolphins had a camp in Southwest Florida was 2006 at Gulf Middle School.

Dana Caldwell is a staff writer for the Naples Daily News.