Our final week of ELITEAM starting off a bit wet at registration, but by the time we were ready to start working there was no rain in sight. So after some grouping games we split into five groups to challenge the campers to see how they worked as teams. First off was Digging Deep – literally. They had to move three yards of dirt over ten feet as fast as they could. Dirt was everywhere, but the teams worked together to finish in about 11 minutes. Other challenges included the Numbers Game, The Name Agility game, the Scooter Move, and the fit light quickness machine. Records are made to be broken and many were today. As soon as one team put out a time, it seemed the next team lowered it. For me, it is always gratifying to see 11-14 year-olds actually put self satisfaction aside for the success of the team!
After a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs and broccoli and salad, it was time to work on agility with poles and relays. The had started raining again so we opted for a quick Dodgeball Championship before heading outside. It was Counselor Christian’s team that took the Gold over Coach Zack’s team. At that point it was time to dig deep, get wet and push our limits in the rain. Although slippery, the campers were killing it on the agility moves. As a whole, this group of athletes has definitely made the commitment to push it this week!
COACHES CORNER-
Coaches Doug, Will & JT… Thinking about Numbers-
Along with Coach Will and JT, we were in charge of a “thinker’s” challenge called the Numbers Game. It involves coming up with creative strategies to touch 30 numbers as fast as you can as a team. They only had three tries. Today I saw solutions that were both creative and fast. What stood out most for me was that each team got faster each try. They studied, talked and focused in on how they could shave time from every part of the challenge. There is a definitely one “way” to be fast, but today, one team broke the record by doing it a completely different way. I was impressed and also tired as I bet them 30 push-ups they couldn’t break the record…
Digging Deep & Getting Dirty with Coach Zack-
This years theme at Eliteam is “Dig Deep”, and there is no better way to start camp than with a dirt pile move. Campers had to move a large pile of dirt from point A to point B (approx. 3-5 yards). Each group was timed so they all felt a sense of urgency to move the pile. It took most groups only a few minutes to work out a strategy utilizing everyone’s strengths; some shoveled while others carried the dirt filled buckets. In the end, some groups had a nice tall pile of dirt while one or two others had a short muddy mess to show for their efforts.
“Getting dirty was the best part” – Bennett
“I’m liking Mount Colin” – Colin
Fit Light and Fast Feet with Coach Dan-
Today during orientation I had the chance to work with all the campers at the Fit Light station. The fit-light is a series of lights that direct athletes in different directions to help develop coordination and reaction time. We attacked the fit light as a team, with each camper in charge of different lights. Needless to say we had a blast! When asked about the fit-light, one of the campers said the hardest part was when they had to do it without talking, because all they wanted to do was cheer on their teammates to go faster!
CAMPER QUOTES-
What activity did you like the best today and why?
Grace- I liked the scooter race because it was fun to watch, exciting and challenging.
Sam- The scooter because it was challenging and fun.
Zoe- I liked the light activity the best because its fun to turn them off and run and have quick feet. And because it makes you focus hard.
Caroline- The Fit Light.
Abi- Fit Light
Emma- Fit Light and name game.
Sydni- I liked the fit light because it tested your communication skills.
Kat- I liked the fit light activity the best, because it tests your focus and teamwork.
Colin – I really love dodgeball because of the agility involved and how you always have to be on the lookout.
Connor – The relays and pole agility in the rain because it really tests my abilities for agility and speed.
Cam – Dodgeball.
Kyle – The dodgeball because of the excitement and momentum.
What was your most challenging moment, and how did you push through it?
Grace- My most challenging moment was the name game because I didn’t know anyone’s name. I pushed through it by setting a goal to know everyone’s.
Sam- The dirt because it was heavy and dirty. I pushed myself by doing it.
Zoe- When I was on the scooters I lost a ball and I was blind folded so it was very difficult to find the ball. The person pushing me helped me by guiding me to the ball.
Caroline- Digging, and to push through it we sang!
Abi- Digging. We sang!
Emma- Shoveling dirt. Thinking I was almost done.
Sydni- My most challenging moment was on the scooters when the other person dropped it and I needed to find it blind folded.
Kat- When I was on scooters, because I was blindfolded and I had to trust him to get me around the cones.
Colin – My most challenging moment came during the relays when it was really slippery and we were trying to cut and turn and make moves. I kept falling but kept getting back up.
Connor – Near the end of my 75 push-ups and I pushed through it.
Overall, how did your Team perform today? What were your groups’ strengths/weaknesses?
Grace- We performed well. Finding the best solution was our weakness. Our strength was working together.
Sam- It was great. Our weaknesses were talking/communications and our strengths were catching and working together.
Zoe- Our team performed pretty well. The name game we crushed! We got the lowest time. The shoveling wasn’t the greatest but we did okay.”
Caroline- Fabulous. Strength–working together. Weakness–talking about Frozen.
Abi- We performed well. Weakness–digging. Strength–name game.
Emma- I think we were good. We pushed ourselves to beat the records.
Sydni- We performed well. We got the fastest time in the name game.
Kat- Overall we did great. We got the lowest time on the DIG DEEP, but we didn’t do great on fit lights.
Colin – My team performed pretty well, but we didn’t always communicate the best.
Cam – My team did well today. My group had many strengths and not too many weaknesses.
Ian – We performed well because we valued each other’s opinions and discussed and tried each.
Kyle – My group was very chatty and had trouble focusing.
Right now I am…
Grace- Writing the blog & getting ready for dinner.
Sam- Writing the blog.
Zoe- Waiting for dinner!
Caroline- Fabulous.
Abi- Feeling awesome!
Emma- Feeling good!
Sydni- Writing.
Kat- Waiting for dinner!
Colin – Tired but excited.
Connor – Tired but felling good after a great day of exercise.
Cam – Happy because it is really fun.
Ian – Wet and in some pain.
If you could tell your Dad one thing right now, what would it be?
Grace- I miss you! Did we get any lobsters?
Sam- I am having a great time. Punch buggie blue convertible double no punch backs.
Zoe- I saw Haley Castner here and Grace and everybody!
Caroline- He has about 125 pushups to do!
Abi- Dig Deep!
Emma- We had to shovel dirt!
Sydni- I am hungry.
Kat- I am proud of what he did today!
Colin – You would have so much fun here.
Connor – you should come to. It’s so much fun!
Cam – I am having a great time. Love you.
Ian – I love you.
