The first ever ELITEAM Park City Europa Cup is officially underway! 33 excited campers arrived and quickly completed 50 push-ups at registration en route to our goal of 500. We started the camp with a group warm up and learned that the best way to prep for a work out is by following a three step process of a light aerobic exercise, a dynamic stretch, and then sprint exercises to get the heart rate up. Within the first hour, all the campers completed a band and core workout, a leg routine, and a ‘dig deep’ dirt-moving workout before heading down to the Center of Excellence. We were working hard right out of the gate!
At the Center of Excellence the camp split into two groups, with both groups getting the chance to learn proper dynamic stretching technique and to complete a tennis ball workout with US Ski Team strength and conditioning coach Mike Bahn. The other group participated in a core circuit and an agility obstacle course lead by US ski teamer AJ Ginnis. The campers then had the opportunity to regenerate their muscles in the COE’s hot and cold baths. Alternating between the cold and hot tub cleansed their muscles, while the squeals of pain and delight cleansed my eardrums as they alternated between the two tubs.
After devouring a delicious dinner of chicken parmesan, salad, and fruit we headed down to the athletic fields where we were joined by Olympic Nordic Skier and ELITEAM Alum Liz Stephens. The athletes were excited to have an Olympian in the crowd and asked Liz several questions about her approach to training and racing. We then continued our training with a series of bamboo pole agility and team relay workouts. Seeing the campers train side by side with an Olympian was really cool and the campers ate it up!
Camper Quotes from Today:
What was the best part of your day?
“I liked going into the ice cold pool.” – Leyton
“Dodgeball” – Griffin
“Push-ups.” -Skylar
“Dodgeball because we won.” -Stefan
“The last part of the day – agility with Liz.” – Carly & Tiger
What did you learn today?
“How to Dig Deep.” Leyton
“There is gas in your thighs.” – Griffin
“That no matter what you never give up.” – Ava
“Exercising is good for you.” – Skylar
“The V-Stretch” – Jett
“A new stretch and it was cool.” -Stefan
If you could send your Mom a message right now, what would it be…?
“I saw USSTer Lauren Ross at the COE today.” Leyton
“I am having an amazing time and experience here at ELITEAM.” -Ava
“Hi Mom. So far camp is awesome and I met a ton of new kids.” -Connor
“We are nervous for the SufferFest.” – Carly & Tiger
“Best time in history. It is awesome.” -Logan & Sammy
