Another ELITEAM Olympics, and another beautiful day. 19 years running! With the entire group dressed in yellow, they broke into teams and took to the field, gym and woods to compete. First up was the Tire/Sandbag duathlon and it did not disappoint. Balance, teamwork and strength are the keys to this event. One team had trouble when their 250 lb tire landed on top of their sandbags, and a couple of other teams had a hard time fitting their sandbags perfectly inside the hula hoop, but it was a strong showing overall.

Next up were the Agility Relay and Berg Und Tal events. Both are an excellent test of coordination, agility, and focus. Great to see that all the practice this week paid off with some fast and clean runs!

After 4 weeks of camp, the Slalom course was rutted and had an icy turn at the bottom. But one by one the teams high-stepped, bashed, and jumped their way to the finish. Some of the runs were right on the edge of legal and the videotape review cleared them all as OK.

The last event was the obstacle course in the woods. Even though the campers had only seen the course once, they had visualized and memorized it to perfection. The Eagle’s Nest is a tough climb and crawl, but they all managed to fly through it! Also, thanks to Emily and Ryan for an exciting demonstration on Haleigh’s Hit.

What a GREAT week of weather, work-outs and fun. I hope to see all the campers back next year – bigger, stronger, faster.

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Today's Pics

There is just too much to write about today. It started with a great hike up Sugarbush. We all made it to Allyn’s Lodge and one group surged onward to finish off the 2700 vertical feet and summit Lincoln Peak. The air was cool, the sun was out and the views fantastic. As a reward, we all took the chairlift down. Fun!

Then it was time for everyone’s favorite lunch – breaded chicken patties that are the real deal. We all chowed.

Next it was a quick Nutrition meeting before loading the vans for the Sandpit Slalom. There was a lot of nervous energy as we arrived on site and saw the spectacular course. See the video below of Ryan and Emily running the course top to bottom. Overall, we saw lots of crashes, a variety of techniques, and athletes pushing it to the limit. By the end of the finals, there was sand everywhere, but the smiles were wide. Thanks to Vitamin Water for sponsoring the race. We all enjoyed a refreshing bottle afterward. Coach Kelley also treated everyone to fruit popsicles!

As is tradition, we headed to the pond immediately after to wash off all the sand. It was relatively chilly out, so some campers and coaches opted not to go in. Coach Chad, however, took it upon himself to ensure their enjoyment of the water. Chaos ensued as people were thrown and tossed into the pond. It was awesome. It all ended with a Belly-Flop contest. AJ and Jimmy took top honors over coach Gunnar.

Then it was back to campus for packing and some serious dorm clean-up. I am proud to say that this group of boys has been absolutely amazing in the dorms as far as keeping their rooms clean and organized. Except for Matt, Will and Will’s room, all earned A+ scores.

After dinner it was dance practice and then everyone’s favorite activity, Andrew’s Crazy Relays. Part workout, part theater, part agility and all FUN. There are no words to describe it. Ask your kids tomorrow.

The Olympics start at 10am sharp and it looks to be a beautiful day with cool temps. See you all then.

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Drift X170 POV VIDEO LINKS:
Ryan runs the Sandpit Slalom
Emily hammers up & down the Sandpits

There is something about the ELITEAM circuits that bring the group to a whole new level. The entire camp explodes into action as they hear the whistle, and for 30 seconds it is pure power and energy. The whistle blows again, and the groups stop to rest for 30 seconds. As we move through the 15 different exercises, the groups push each other to higher levels. Just ask the coaches how hard it is, they are right in there doing it too.

Later, up on the Rock Wall, records fell on each climb. Something about positive energy and a belief in pushing limits that brings out the best in the campers. Ryan blasted up the hardest wall in a mere 23 seconds – incredible. On the middle wall, it was Emma who made all the right moves to conquer the overhang.

Right before lunch it was an epic game of capture the flag with the entire camp. Boys VS. Girls … the boys persevered  2 games to 1. Immediately after, homemade Mac & Cheese greeted the campers for lunch. Just about everyone headed back for 2^nd or 3^rd helpings.

After lunch it was physical testing - Push-ups, Sit-ups, Flexibility, 40 yard dash, Slalom, and the infamous Beep Test. You’ll have to ask the campers about how much they enjoyed that one…

Chaos ensued during the Adventure race which saw the campers rolling on top of the huge tires, carrying sandbags, untying knots while blindfolded, and carrying water in a leaky pipe. My belly still hurts from laughing. I think it was a tie between Coach Chad’s and Coach Gunnar’s teams. However, all were rewarded with smoothies! Some great (and not so great) concoctions were made by the campers with bananas, raspberries, blueberries, yogurt, juice, milk and peanut butter.

Gloves, Goggles & Stripes was the theme this year for our Thursday night fun, and the campers had some incredible outfits. Enjoy the pictures! Following a "pig" race and Limbo contest, it was movie time in the gym… “Cool Running”, the story of the 1988 Jamaican Bobsled team was very entertaining.

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Today's Pics

VIDEO LINKS-
Emma makes it but Eva crashes in the Limbo
Hannah gets low on the Limbo in Duct Tape shorts
Lindsey's Winning Limbo
The Crazy Pig Race on the field

Tonight’s Blog by Emma, Sarah & Eva…

Morning run, so long & tiring. Breakfast of eggs, french toast, bagels, fruit & granola. Get on the bus to Barre to ride.Mountain bike around quarries. Adventure. Daring. Lots of fun with views and pictures.Learn the Dance… more fun, funny, interesting.
All campers shaped ELITEAM 2010 on the field. DINNER! Seasoned chicken, pasta, broccoli, fruit. YUM!

Highlights of the Day:

Nicole P – setting the camp record on one of the Rock Walls.
Mary Clare – Concocting spinach cream cheese muffins.
Emma – Eating the luscious spinach cupcakes.Sarah – Yoga tree pose contest.
Eva – The intense World Cup soccer tourney we had.

Coach Doug’s Highlights:

-Biking with Natasha who only a couple of years ago would not have even tried to mountain bike on single track.-Hearing all the stories of crashes, close calls, and victories out on the bike today. Everyone pushed it out there.-The fact that all the campers begged for more yoga tonight.-Hearing the story about how Will & Nick added 1 ½ cups of Baking Soda instead of 1 ½ teaspoons!!! Look for the result of that in the pictures. Inedible.
The boys went to bed before 9pm tonight. They are all very tired. I love it!

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Today's Pics

Drift X170 POV Video Links-
Katie & Isabel cook the tough recipe
Too Much Baking Soda!
Will C headers off the teeter-totter
Coach Andrew's grp cruising down the trails

You know it’s been a big day when all 45 campers and half the staff are lying still on their backs after yoga, totally quiet and completely relaxed. It’s always a great way to end the day, reflecting on everything we just accomplished.

Our day started early with the 7:00AM run and stretch. It was a gorgeous morning and fun to see the various groups head out into the dewy grass in all directions. After a huge breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bagels, fruit and cereal, half the camp went into the woods to climb trees in the Ropes Course, while the other half went to the hill for the killer leg routine and eagerly anticipated agility course.

Some standout moments today:

-Meaghan putting together a flawless and fast run on the agility course where perfection is rewarded over quickness.

-Emily, a rookie to ELITEAM, staring nervously down the gates on her first ever run down the quick-feet slalom. Within three runs she was going full throttle.

-Will R calmly shooting a basketball over his back while balancing on a beam and swooshing nothing but net.

- Hearing a camper yell, “It burns so good!” during the killer leg routine.

-Conor, Emma, Sarah, Jack S and Coach Kelley all having to kiss the belay rope and thank it for saving their lives, as penance for stepping on the rope by the Dangle Duo.

-Watching Victoria try mightily to stand atop the Swinging Log. Although she didn’t quite get there, she won over the entire group with her gallant effort.

-Parker and Scott hanging upside down, trying desperately to get a hold of Nicole to hoist her up and over the Wall.

After a refreshing swim and feeding frenzy at Taco Tuesday dinner, the first rotation of Rock Wall, Cooking and Capture the Flag began. The “Eliteam chefs” made Greek Yogurt Banana Bread that we’ll all enjoy tomorrow during the bike.

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Today's Pics

DRIFT X170 POV- VIDEO LINKS:
AJ, Will & Josh cook banana bread

Emma mashes bananas

Parker & Matt follow directions

At one point after dinner I looked across the field and saw a group of girls playing Wall-Ball, three kids walking on top of the tractor tires, a group of boys playing soccer, four kids riding their bikes and one camper on a unicycle. There is always a lot going on at ELITEAM.

This afternoon was spent in the ELITEAM woods with the groups taking on some crazy challenges that force the kids to work together. It is always amazing to me how athletes can come up with so many different ways to solve a simple problem. On the Nitro Crossing, where the group has to swing across a gap and all balance on a 18"x18" piece of wood, a group actually stacked themselves horizontally instead of standing. Never even thought of trying it. I think the campers on the bottom layer were a bit squeezed, but IT WORKED.

After dinner, which saw every piece of broccoli eaten, we focused on agility. From balancing bamboo on our chins, to walking across a bridge of dowels, to “skipping through a field of bunnies,” the campers were focused on the task at hand while grinning from ear to ear. And when the exercises became races, they took the intensity to another level. Counselor Ava's team, however, was a bit unfocused and ended up doing the most push-ups due to crooked lines and wandering teammates. As they did their 40th push-up of the night, one camper was overheard saying, “They are going to be ripped by the end of camp!”

We ended the evening with a bit of yoga and relaxation. The sun was setting. The air was cool and no bugs were out. The group was lying with their eyes closed in the grass, belly breathing and quiet. Let’s hope they fall asleep quickly tonight, as tomorrow is a big day with Sports Psychology training in the Ropes Course, and Sports Physiology in the gym.

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