(Tonight’s blog by Coach Dan Bell. A big thank you to Dan for his daily recaps this week!)
Thursday was big Vertical, quick Uppercuts, and crazy Relays
It is hard to believe that it is already Thursday. The entire camp had a chance to leave campus today and hike the Silver Lake trail at Deer Valley. It covered 2 miles and climbed 1300 vertical feet. The views were stunning and all of the campers made it up to the top in about an hour. Awaiting the campers at the top of the mountain were three secret rocks with a big “E” for ELITEAM written on them, hidden around the rocky summit. Though one rock went undiscovered by both the coaches and the campers, Tommy and Ellie were each able find a rock and earn a prize. Once everybody caught their breath and had a snack, we took a beautiful ride down the Sterling Lift and returned to the NAC.
Today’s speaker at our notebook meeting was the U.S. Ski Team’s Senior Strength and Conditioning coach, Michael Bahn. He started out by saying, “Working out doesn’t make you stronger. “ The kids looked perplexed. He explained that working out breaks down your muscles. What makes you stronger, is how your body recovers and rebuilds. He explained the keys to recovery are sleep, regeneration exercises (a light spin on the bike or a walk), and good nutrition, including chocolate milk, which the kids were psyched to hear! (Chocolate milk has both protein and carbs to help rebuild and refuel.)
After our meeting, the camp split into two groups once again and half went down to the COE gym to practice their agility, learn to box, and regenerate their muscles in the hot and cold pools. The boxing started with a quick “how-to” and then it was three, three-minute rounds of punching (pads, not each other). The other half took to the Park City Ice Arena where they played an exciting game of sled hockey that came down to the wire. After hockey it was off to the stadium for Coach Andrew’s leg routine and a little Swedish Dodgeball.
The last night of camp is always a little wild and wacky at ELITEAM, as all of the campers dressed up for the Olympic themed evening. Several campers showed off their GS suits and I believe there was even a Michael Phelps, Heidi Voelker and three Doug Lewis sightings.
After dinner it was down to the fields to take part in “Andrews Crazy Relays”. Everyone had a blast pushing soccer balls with their heads, playing leap frog, and walking like chickens. It was then off to the Jello Drop where counselor Andy and Lucas B. were victorious. The campers then received their awesome new ELITEAM t-shirts and are resting up for a big morning at the sandpits, followed by the ELITEAM Olympics at 2:30pm at the COE – all are invited.
