Jessica Mendoza Olympic gold medalist Jessica Mendoza has a very busy holiday schedule.

Mendoza, 27, a Camarillo resident, was in New York last week conducting a youth softball camp for upwards of 150 girls. After flying home for a short stay, Mendoza traveled to Cal State Fullerton to continue practicing with her USA Softball teammates as they prepare for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

"I hardly ever see her," said Mendoza's mom, Karen, also a Camarillo resident. "She's here one minute, and then she's gone."

Two weeks from now, on Dec. 27 and 28, Mendoza and her USA Softball teammate, two-time gold medal winner Stacey Nuveman, will host the Nuveman-Mendoza Clinic Experience at Moorpark High.

The twoday event, which emphasizes both on-field and life skills, is being held for girls 10 to 18 years old. Early registration, until Dec. 26, costs $185. The walk-up fee is $210, but space is limited.

"Growing up in Ventura County, I knew there was a lot of softball here and a lot of talent here, but I always felt like I had to drive to Orange County or out of state to play in the best tournaments, get the best lessons or go to the best clinics," said Mendoza, a 1998 graduate of Camarillo High who was a fourtime AllAmerican at Stanford.

"I do a lot of work outside of the state and outside of the country, but this is where I come home to, this is where my roots are, and I just want to do more for the community. It's stuff that I do everywhere else, so why not do it here?"

While Mendoza certainly enjoys teaching the girls how to improve as players, the chance to talk to them about the opportunities that playing the game can create down the line may be the most rewarding experience of all.

"Our purpose is to have the girls walk away not only as better athletes, but as better people," Mendoza said. "That's something (Nuveman) and I feel strongly about. . . .

"As far as going to college and getting an education, confidence issues, leadership qualities- we'll talk about the things we've learned from being athletes. The whole goal is to talk about real issues that are happening with young girls."

For more information or to register for the camp, visit www.jmendoza.com/clinics or www.staceynuveman.com/clinics.

When the camp is complete, Mendoza will only have a few days off before she travels to Afghanistan with three other Olympians for a 13-day tour with the Armed Forces.

Mendoza said she's excited about the opportunity to visit and talk with the troops but admitted not knowing exactly what lies ahead can be nerve-racking at times.

"I have to trust that we're going to be there with the U.S. Army and we're going to be as safe as possible," she said. "There are some things that are out of my control, but if I want to go on this trip, I have to understand that it isn't the safest place and there is some risk involved.

"I'm just looking at it as a real honor to be there and a onceina-lifetime experience."