Wednesday started early, as always, with our morning run and burpees, but the energy was extra high because it was Mountain Biking Day!
Our expert riders headed deep into the Bethel forest, while the intermediate and beginner groups tackled the Helix and Bingham trails right from the Gould campus. There were roots, rocks, puddles, muddy legs, and yes, a few crashes, but everyone kept riding, learning, and smiling.
The afternoon began with a special Mental Skills session featuring surprise guest Kira Heibert, an ELITEAM alum and member of the U.S. Ski Team Development Team. Kira shared stories and lessons from her journey, inspiring campers to embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.
Then came an action-packed trio of activities: Partner and Group Yoga with Dizzy Golf, Paintball Burpee Biathlon, and Banana Bread Cooking with Food Family Feud! There is far too much fun to capture in one update, so get ready for some great stories from your campers and plenty of photos online.
We also brought back the legendary Egg Smash Challenge! Each camper chose an egg with a 50-50 chance of it being raw or hard-boiled, then smashed it directly onto their forehead. It took guts, grit, and a willingness to embrace the unknown, and there was absolutely no hesitation from this group. A few campers ended up covered in egg, while the rest of camp ended up howling with laughter!
After dinner, campers headed back outside for Dodgeball and Agility Poles. Even with sore legs and tired bodies, they kept pushing, laughing, and supporting one another.
We ended the day with our Every Win Counts Podium, where campers nominate teammates for wins both big and small. Tonight, the podium was PACKED, a perfect reminder that effort, courage, kindness, teamwork, and improvement all count.
And because shower time is limited, the boys have instituted their own three-minute shower rule. Go over the limit and the penalty is two push-ups for every SECOND over! Apparently, even getting clean has become an ELITEAM competition.
Tomorrow brings another ELITEAM favorite: The Sandpit Slalom!
What are two things you learned while cooking Banana Bread?
- Helen F. – That you can use yogurt in banana bread and also you can substitute different ingredients to make it healthier.
- Ari G. – That coconut sugar is a good substitute for sugar because it keeps your blood sugar from spiking and crashing.
- Atlee E. – Cracking eggs in a bowl is hard and Avocado oil is a healthy option because it is a healthy fat.
- Ellie H. – Browned bananas are sweeter and easier to mash. Avocado oil is more heart healthy than other cooking oils.
- Izzy L. – You can use apple sauce in recipes instead of eggs.
- Maddy B. – How different ingredients can benefit my health and how we can substitute different ingredients like coconut for regular sugar to make a dessert or baked goods healthier.
- Madison O.- It’s way more helpful when you have a partner.
- Victoria D. – Measuring things is important to follow the recipe and baking with friends is so fun.
What was the best thing and the toughest thing about mountain biking?
- Helen F. – The best thing is I am off my feet and the hardest is going uphill on tight turns.
- Ari G. – The best thing is the downhill and the hardest was the roots.
- Atlee E. – The best thing was the end because I am so sore. THe toughest was when I almost fell.
- Ellie H. – The downhill was good but the berms were too soft and shallow. The uphill berms were fun.
- Izzy L. – The best was going really fast because it made it easier and the toughest was going up hills because if you didn’t have enough speed you would have to walk.
- Maddy B. – Going over the roots and rocks was hard to keep my balance if I hit something funny.
- Madison O.- Mountain biking was a little rough because I woke up sore, the best was going downhill with the turns.
- Victoria D. – The best was feeling the wind in my face and the worst was falling because it hurts!
What was important to shoot well in Biathlon?
- Helen F. – You have to breathe and focus even when you feel rushed.
- Ari G. – To breathe deeply and focus.
- Atlee E. – Take deep breaths to calm yourself and slow your heart rate, shooting targets is hard because you have to make micro adjustments.
- Ellie H. – You have to slow your heart rate and breathe to have a steady shot, when you’re calm it gives you more control.
- Izzy L. – It’s very important to breathe in a rhythm so you can aim and shoot properly. The more I timed my breath and slowed down the more I got out of my shot.
- Maddy B. – Lining up the shot was most helpful but to me was learning from my previous shots and then adjusting.
- Madison O.- Breathing before the shot. It slowed my heart beat down and I was able to aim way better.
- Victoria D. – Aiming well because it helps you hit the target. I liked it when I hit the bottle.
