We all congregated for morning run and stretch at 7am to loosen up our sore muscles, but also bang out 50 push-ups. After a hearty breakfast, it was time for High Ropes and a Mini Sufferfest.
Half the group harnessed up to practice some Sports Psych on the high ropes challenge course. Doug belayed the Tightrope Traverse and said that every single camper pushed their limits, and most achieved even more than they thought possible. During Kristen’s blindfolded attempt, it was hard to hear as the entire group of 22 was cheering her on to ring the final bell.
Out on the field, the other group was Sufferfesting together with the rocks they fished out of the river yesterday. If you were anywhere on campus, you could hear their mantra being yelled over and over… “Suffer on three. 1-2-3 SUFFERRRRR!!!!” Hard workouts are the ones you remember when you are standing in the starting gate next winter, and this is one they won’t forget! After Sufferfest, they rotated through an Agility Obstacle course in the gym, the bergundthal, Fit Light Challenge and Quickfeet SL.
In the afternoon, the kids got their first taste of the ELITEAM dance, busting out some sweet moves like the Sprinkler and Meat Grinder. Next we split into groups and rotated through three activities for an hour each- Cooking, Woods Obstacle, and Psych Talk (with a Dodgeball bonus).
In the cooking activity, we made Black Bean Brownies and No Bake Protein Energy Bars. Some comments after testing the Protein Bars…Rayna- They’re like cookies, but healthier.
Logan- Best thing with peanut butter I’ve ever tasted.
Silas- Really easy to make and just really good.
Binny- Really good. Love the Krispees.
Lindsay- Delicious!
Dinner was “Taco Tuesday on Thursday”. As always, a bit hit, and much needed fuel for our bodies that are feeling pretty jacked up after so much intense activity. We are stronger today than we were yesterday.
COACHES CORNER-
From Coach Dan, who likes to Suffer…
This morning half of the camp completed the SUFFERFEST!!! We completed 50 rock squats, 50 yard rock sprints, 50 yard rock throws, 50 rock presses, 50 burpees, 50 rock twists, 50 pushups, and some tuck jumps up the leg routine hill! Everyone SUFFERED and pushed their limits while having fun and learning how to mentally push through our toughest workouts.
From Coach JT, belaying at the Ropes…
Alex was on the Vertical Playpen today. He was having trouble getting to the top, but his teammates cheered him on, helping him find the strength and courage to push his boundaries and made it to the top! It is always exciting to see a breakthrough moment like that. We had many of those today.
My favorite quote at the Vertical Playpen today… “My shoes are too heavy to get to the top, can I come down?” -Justin
From Coach Dan, who is always “Psyched”…
This afternoon the entire camp got to rotate through a talk about the importance of sport psychology (my favorite!). We talked about how many athletes train their muscles, but very few realize they need to train their minds as well. We learned that important mental skills we need to practice are focus, confidence, and having a positive attitude! We also learned how to cope with potential distractions such as bad weather and loud cheering from the crowd. When asked about their dream goals many campers responded with answers such as making the US ski team, making it to the NBA or playing in the World Cup for USA, but we learned to get there we need plenty of short term goals such as eating healthy and working out.
From Coach Lauren, cooking in the kitchen…
The cooking station was filled with flour flying, sticky fingers, and measuring spoons and pure protein power! The black bean brownies topped with hearty oats were a fun take on a sweet classic. Charlotte and Kristen recommend you double check your measuring! The no bake peanut butter protein bars were a popular mid day energy boost with VT maple syrup, rice krispies, mini-chocolate chips, pea protein and flax seed! Weller asked, “Can I make this recipe at home?” Doug led a passionate discussion as campers looked at protein, fat, and calories in food groups. Kailey learned, “Having a treat once in a while is okay but eating healthy is important so your muscles have nutrition” Joey agreed, ” You need to eat healthy to become strong!” We now have the FUEL to DIG DEEP!!!
CAMPER QUOTES
What is the key to staying calm and positive in the Ropes Courses?
Molly- Believing you can do it, breathe, and DIG DEEP!
Grace- I know you can do it and you will always make it to the other side if you believe.
Addie & Blake- Breathing, remember that you are attached to a line and listen to people that believe in you.
Binny- Look ahead, not down, think of chocolate cupcakes, caramel, and cheese nachos.
Kristen- I went blindfolded for one so not seeing anything helped with my fear of heights.
Jane- Breathe.
Rayna- Tell yourself there’s no way you can fall, your attached to ropes. Also don’t look straight down, it really helps!
What has been the most challenging part of ELITEAM so far and Why?
Molly- Pushing your limits and going a bit more! It is hard because you are tired.
Addie & Blake- Letting go of the tree on the incline ropes-log-thing.
Binny- No dessert and small showers.
Kristen- The cargo net. I tripped a lot.
Francesca- Running in the morning because I never run in the morning.
Rayna- Getting to the top of the Vertical Playpen, I couldn’t do it last year and I STILL couldn’t! But I’ll get it…
Name one thing that you learned today?
Molly- When you believe in yourself you can do anything!
Grace- That even though your scared you push your limits farther.
Addie & Blake- How to do the Burghenthall (?spelling)
Kristen- To double check measuring. Don’t double the vanilla!
Jane- You have to make small steps to get to your dream goals!
Rayna- Healthy energy bars taste like cookies! And I need I need work on upper body strength.
What made you laugh today?
Molly- When Carter said, “Sass on this side. No sass on this side!”
Grace- When ___ farted and she didn’t know I heard.
Addie & Blake- When Saylor did the World Cup w/ a blind-fold it was SO brave.
Binny- Watching Doug teach cooking.
Francesca- 50 pushups
Jane- A coach said “Butt Kicks” and another coach said “I wanna hear those butts!”
Rayna- Too many things.
If you could tell your Dad one thing right now, what would it be?
Molly- DIG DEEP!
Grace- DIG OUT YOUR DREAMS!
Addie & Blake- THAT THE ROPES COURSE WAS AWESOME.
Binny- Eat tacos on Thursday.
Kristen- The Coach’s dog Tenny was cute.
Francesca- That I had a lot of fun.
Jane- DIG DEEP!
Rayna- I miss him a lot but I’m having so much fun. I’m learning tons and I think you’d be proud.
