Today at ELITEAM we…
Started the day by making our beds! 96% of the boys dorm and 100% of the girls dorm completed the task. The boys received a “B” for their bed-making quality. The girls nailed it with an “A”. Rematch tomorrow. The inspiration for our bed-making efforts came from an inspiring commencement address- click here to watch it. (It’s 20 minutes long, but the pertinent section is from approximately minute 3 to min. 6.)
Our theme for camp is “Tougher, Stronger, Fitter, Faster”, and each day we have a challenge to match our theme. Our challenge today was focused on “Fitter”. The coaches decided on Planks, as all movement originates from the core and is crucial for all athletes. The kids decided we should do 30 minutes total of planking. So… a big day of planking ahead for all of us!
After a morning warmup, we fueled up for the day with french toast and fresh fruit. For the morning training session we split into two groups. Half went into the woods to tackle the ropes course. The other half did a leg routine followed by lots of agility work- quickfeet SL, pogo-sticking, bergundthal and an agility obstacle course. We refueled at lunch with Mac & Cheese… with riced cauliflower baked in, but the kids don’t know that, so keep it on the low-down! After lunch we had a Notebook meeting with Coach Doug, who covered Sports Physiology. Doug reported a lively session with LOTS of interaction and shared stories during the meeting. Next we switched groups for the afternoon activities, ending our afternoon with a huge game of Dodgeball. We finished off the day with “Teddy’s Games” hosted by Coach Teddy and Yoga taught by Coach Eva, a newly certified Yoga instructor. We even caught a highlight of the France-Belgium game! What a HUGE day! The kids are getting ready for bed. Lights out in 2 minutes! Tomorrow we have an Adventure Hike up Sugarbush. And by the way, the kids exceeded their planking goal with a total of 40 minutes each!!! We have some very determined athletes here, who are clearly “Fitter” after today’s action.
Memorable Moments-
Coach Doug- After Lily M finished the Tango, she told me that even after being scared, she completed the Tango and now she believes she can do anything!
Coach Zack- While George F. and George M were climbing the Dangle Duo, a dozen campers cheered them on chanting, “George squared! George squared! George squared!” They made it to the top.
Coach Morgan- When another camper was climbing in the ropes course, Jackie said “If you say you can’t then you won’t, but if you say you can then it gives you the power to do it!”
Coach Kelley- Watching Noi break out into a spontaneous one-man dance party in the gym. He’s got some moves!
Coach Caroline- When we were pogo sticking Logan said, “I’m basically a bunny now.”
Coach Ali- After finding a whistle in the grass, Monty and Coach Eva getting into a pushup whistle war!
What was your favorite activity today and why?
Cal- Dodgeball because it was competitive.
Ford- The ropes course because it was fun to challenge myself by doing most of the courses blindfolded.
Jackson H- The slalom because it was fun to fall and compete for best times.
Isak- Quickfeet slalom because I’m pretty good at it. I got 4.40 seconds, the best time at camp so far.
Monty- The Dangle Duo, Logan and I put apples in our mouths and made it to the top.
Jackson L- Swedish dodgeball, because it was fun.
Logan- Climbing the ropes because it was exhilarating.
Kat- Pogo sticks!
Molly N- The obstacle/ropes course because I was with my friends and made new ones and it was fun.
Carly- The ropes course because it’s really fun.
Lily M- Ropes course because it’s fun!
Klara- Ropes course because I love climbing.
Jackie- The slalom course because I enjoyed it a lot.
Brenna- The ropes course because it was super fun and also made me push my limits.
What was your most challenging moment today and how did you push through it?
Cal- The burpees and I just thought it would be all over.
Ford- The Dangling Duo because without being able to see the next ladder I had to work with my partner to get to the top.
Jackson H- I pushed through the Vertical Playpen and I did it by being determined to complete it five years in a row.
Isak- In the Dangle Duo we were really high up and it was hard to balance and I was scared.
Monty- The last step of the Dangle Duo Logan and I helped each other get our legs over.
Jackson L- Getting up the ladder in dangle duo by helping each other.
Logan- Heading the hung up body and I told myself not to think about it and to just go.
Kat- The Vertical Playpen proved itself difficult. A couple of times I almost fell and gave up, but I pushed myself. I ended up reaching the top and squeezed the chicken.
Molly N- The dangle duo and my friends encouraged me and I breathed.
Carly- The planks. I got through it by shifting my position.
Lily M- Leg routine because it made me tougher.
Klara- Climbing the ladder.
Jackie- On the Tango with Lily.
Brenna- When me and Winter were stuck and we thought we couldn’t make it to the top. Then we thought of an idea and we were able to push through.
Which ropes course element was the most fun and why?
Cal- The Playpen because it was challenging.
Ford- The Dangling Duo because it was challenging blindfolded.
Jackson H- I think the launching pad is the most fun because you get really nervous but then you laugh it off.
Isak- The Launch pad because it’s very fun to jump through the air.
Monty- The Dangle Duo because I had never made it to the top before.
Jackson L- Launch pad, because it was scary.
Logan- Playpen because I did it blindfolded.
Kat- Dangle Duo. Working with my partner and depending on each other was great and I felt awesome when we reached the top.
Molly N- The dangle duo because I achieved my goal.
Carly- The vertical playpen because it is so satisfying when you finish.
Lily M- The launch pad because it was scary.
Klara- Launching pad because it was fun.
Jackie- The board because I reached my goal.
FYI- We randomly hand out Blog questions to a few of the kids in the dorm at 5 pm each afternoon (when we have a few minutes of downtime before dinner). It’s completely voluntary, so some kids choose to do it and others pass. If you don’t see a quote from your child, either he/she chose to pass on the blog sheets, or they simply weren’t in the vicinity when the sheets were being handed out. It doesn’t always happen, but we do our best to have new kids fill out a blog sheets each night.
