NOTES FROM DOUG
Day 1 at the Europa Cup was non-stop from 1:30 check-in to 9:00 lights out! We did lots of team-building activities, agility exercises, relay races and even had some notebook time reading advice from Olympic athletes describing how “the struggle makes you strong”. Tomorrow will be another big day – including high ropes, leg routines, slalom courses and the dance – to name just a few. My highlight today- watching Coach Dan inspire campers to eat broccoli at dinner!
COACHES CORNER
What activity did you like the most and why?
Coach Jessica- Today I really enjoyed coaching the Nitro team building exercise because it was cool to see the kids work together and come up with a solution to get every kid to fit on one single block. The kids came up with some great solutions to work together and when their ideas failed, they were quick to improve and adjust their methods!
Coach Julia- I really enjoyed boxing with the campers. It was awesome to see them focusing on their CORE, especially when asked to bare down and utilize the stability and power that comes from their abs. I saw many smiles and laughs as they exchanged sweaty gloves, which was all a sign of the hard work they were putting in.
What was your most memorable moment with the campers today?
Coach Julia- The Relays. Even as we focused on our agility, the campers smiled, giggled and even stumbled their way through the finish.
Coach Jessica- The Agility Workout. I love watching the kids do the “gorilla walk” and “high knee butt-kicks”. It’s always great to see the campers laughing that hard while becoming better athletes.
Coach Zack- The Spider Web station. It was awesome to watch each group of campers, most who had just met one another, talk and work together to figure out a safe and efficient process to get everyone through. All groups got the chance to do it a third time while being timed and was great to watch the group effort and determination to get through mistake-free as quickly as possible.
CAMPER QUOTES
What activity did you like the most and why?
Jackson- I liked the Fit Light the best because I liked laughing at when I couldn’t find the light.
Matt S – I liked doing the boxing with Doug because it was so fun and I got to do it with a new friend.
Merrick – The Nitro because it is in the woods which is my favorite place.
Curt – I liked the Spider Web because we were lifting people up together.
Will D – Pole Agility because it was crazy and fun.
Turner – Boxing because I like core and punching.
Counselor Alex – Today I liked the giant basketball. I was able to throw giant balls into and giant hoop without knocking any campers over.
Jackie- Spider Web.
Tela- I like the Nitro.
Campbell- I liked the Spider Web because it was good teamwork.
What was your most challenging moment and how did you push through it?
Jackson- It was the Nitro because it was frustrating when you all fall off. I pushed through it by knowing that it is for fun.
Matt S. – My most challenging moment was leaving you and I pushed through it by having positive thoughts.
Merrick – The pole agility. I did everything at least twice!
Curt – Relay races because I can barely skip!
Will D. – Getting everyone on the Nitro Island.
Counselor Alex – The hardest thing was doing a moving wall sit through the agility poles in the partner race. I had to squat down to match the height of the camper.
Jackie- Boxing because I was sweating so much.
Tela- The nitro. We were all falling off and we came up with a new strategy.
Campbell- Boxing because my arms got really tired.
If you could tell your Mom one thing right now, what would it be?
Jackson – I AM HAVING A BLAST!
Matt S. – I love you and miss the whole family.
Merrick – I am having the best time of my life.
Curt – I miss you
Will D – I love you!
Turner – I’m having so much fun.
Counselor Alex – Mom, I forgot toothpaste.
Jackie- I’m having so much fun. Love you. Miss you. Bye.
Tela- The fit light.
Campbell- This is the best camp ever. Can I go next year? I miss you. I love you.