Although it was only a half day, we packed a lot in. Upon arrival all campers completed 75 push-ups and then took the Dig Deep Pledge, pledging to push their limits. After that we split into five groups and rotated between five activities. First was the Dirt Pile move. The team shoveled 4 yards of dirt, moving it 10 feet over, all within the 15 minute time limit. Literally, digging deep. Then it was on to the Tennis Ball Name Game where coordination and teamwork paid off big time. We also threw in another 50 push-ups. Next up was the Rock Walk where the teams hiked down the 400 vertical feet to the Mad River and picked out a rock to carry back up. Then it was off to the Blind Basketball where communication was paramount. Finally it was the Numbers challenge. The teams here had the lowest times we have ever seen at ELITEAM!
After a huge dinner it was time to learn the Obstacle course in the ELITEAM woods. This will be highlighted on Saturday during the ELITEAM Olympics. Next it was back to the field for Bamboo pole agility and coordination. Hard to explain so check out the photos! Finally, it was time for some relays. There were moves that I find hard to describe going on out there. High-knee butt-kicks. Ligety jumps? The chicken walk. And some weird skipping. All meant for huge fun, but also to teach agility.
My Dorm is just now readying for bedtime. I am hoping they are so tired they will fall asleep quickly!
-Doug
COACHES CORNER-
Rock Walk with Coach Zack:
On day one of camp we have a five station rotation, one station being the Rock Walk. The Rock Walk is an activity where the campers walk through the woods down to the Mad River. The campers find a rock weighing approximately their age (ex. 14 yr. old = 14lb rock) and then walk back up the trail to the GMVS campus, where they do several different “rockercises”. The toughest part of the activity is the walk back up with the rock where some campers realize taking the bigger rock wasn’t such a great idea. In the end, all the campers made it back to GMVS with their rock and there are now plenty of rocks available for activities later in the week. What did the campers think of it?
“It made me dig deep” – Thomas
“It makes me feel like my muscles are getting stronger” – Jonathan
“Sweat is like gold to me” – Tyler
“Its awesome and makes you dig deep” – Sophie
Digging Deep with Coach Demi:
After taking the Dig Deep Pledge at orientation, the campers were put to the test as they collectively moved a large pile of dirt. Some campers moved two buckets full of dirt at a time, while others exploited each other’s strengths and allocated the jobs of filling and carrying the buckets. At the end, we took a moment to admire the sometimes mountainous, sometimes perfectly pointed mound of dirt. It was the first of many attempts to come of literally and figuratively explaining to the campers what it means to “dig deep.” Although some said, “This feels a little like prison” Tyler claimed he was “sweating gold” and making friends by digging deep.
CAMPER QUOTES- (boys dorm tonight)
What did you think of the Dirt Pile Move?
TJ – It was a good workout. Definitely worked your abs.
Tanner – I dug so deep I hit water.
Ollie – I believe that suffering builds character and I built a lot today.
Will – You felt accomplishment when you looked and saw that the pile was gone. It had moved – you had moved it!
What did you think of the Rock Walk?
Colter – Intense.
Ollie – Awesome. You needed to have a steady momentum to get up the hill.
Tanner – It was like holding a baby – that you hated.
Brian – It was hard if you chose the wrong rock.
What activity did you like the best today and why?
Owen – I loved the relays because when you are going all your can hear is people cheering you on.
Seth – The Pole agility because it always makes me laugh with my friends.
Colter – The relays because they were fun, challenging and wacky.
Jonathan C – The pole agility because it was challenging and it was fun to catch the poles.
Cha – I liked the poles the best because it was really fun and challenging.
Will – I liked the rock walk because it ROCKED.
Eric – I liked the pole agility because it involved Teamwork.
What was your most challenging moment and how did you push through it?
Owen – The rock walk to the river. When I chose my rock it was OK, but halfway up you had to dig deep and push yourself.
Seth – The rock walk. I dug deep and focused on what I was doing.
Colter – The rock walk because I had to push my limits.
Jonathan C – The push-ups, so I thought “Dig Deep” and pushed through.
Will – During the rock walk I just took a deep breath and told myself to keep going.
Eric – The rock walk because my rock was really heavy.
On your team, what were your group’s strengths and weaknesses?
Owen – My team was really great at communication, but not good at planning.
Jonathan C – My Team performed well. We were good at the rock walk.
Will – We did awesome because we are the best team ever, and we are bad at nothing.
Ryan – Pretty good. We were slow, but coordinated.
Right now I am…
Owen – Tired, but hungry for more.
Seth – Tired, but ready for tomorrow.
Colter – Tired.
Jonathan – …in need of a shower.
Cha – …in need of another challenge.
Will – Feeling awesome.
Ryan – Hungry
Eric – Happy and tired.
If you could tell your Dad one thing right now, what would it be?
Owen – You got rocks?
Seth – Hey Dad, wish you could be here.
Jonathan – I love this place!!!
Cha – I love you : )
Will – I wuv you Daddy.
Dirt Pile Move – Digging Deep
TJ – It was a good workout. Definitely worked your abs.
Tanner – I dug so deep I hit water.
Ollie – I believe that suffering builds character and I built a lot today.
Will – You felt accomplishment when you looked and saw that the pile was gone. It had moved – you had moved it!
Rock Walk:
Colter – Intense.
Ollie – Awesome. You needed to have a steady momentum to get up the hill.
Tanner – It was like holding a baby – that you hated.
Brian – It was hard if you chose the wrong rock.
