After enjoying some intense sunshine through registration and one rotation of the Team Challenges in the woods, a big storm hit the Valley so we moved everyone into the gym for some Agility training and Relay races. The campers were hopping, skipping, twirling, jumping and running at full speed, all while focusing intensely on the correct moves. There were more than a few push-ups doled out for wrong steps and messy lines!
After the storm moved through, it was back out to the woods for more challenges. Most impressive was the performance of the teams moving Pain & Agony weight sleds across the field. Nothing is impossible for these athletes.
The ELITEAM Olympics on Saturday will feature the Obstacle course, so before dinner the campers had a chance to do an inspection and spend a bit of time visualizing and practicing it. This year’s course ends with a jump at full speed into and hanging spider web. Even their first runs through were impressive.
Dinner was spaghetti with peas, carrots, salad and fruit, and the campers ate it all. The chocolate milk was a huge hit as well. This is also when we announced that they would be helping with “dish duty”. There were quite a few confused and concerned faces, as if to say, “We have to do what? Really?” Yes, really!
After dinner it was into the gym for more balance and agility, but this time using 8 foot poles as equipment. Amazing how much fun it is to balance a pole on your chin. Congrats to Brendan and Coach Will for becoming the Champions of the Pole Sprint Relay. We ended the day’s physical activities with a huge Dodge Ball game.
After our fun in the gym, it was time for a Dorm mtg where we read letters to the ELITEAM kids written by World Cup ski racers Aksel Svindal, Laurenne Ross and ELITEAM Alum Warner Nickerson. We talked about Inspiration, where it comes from, how it makes us feel, and how to use it to push limits.
Following the meeting, the kids had a bit of free time to shower and settle in for the night. We do our best to encourage daily showers here, but the campers aren’t always on the same page. As one camper was unpacking this afternoon, he pulled out a towel and said, “Towels? What do we need towels for?” All I can say is, we’ll do our best!
Tomorrow is a big day of Ropes Courses, Leg Routines and the ELITEAM Dance. Looks like lots of sunshine ahead. Looking forward to a great day!
