Today at ELITEAM we … woke up bright and early for the first morning run of camp, broke up into groups by sneaker color and followed our jog with a core workout. We propelled into the morning with the fuel of champions; bagels, lox, french toast, VT maple syrup and fresh berries. For the morning session, we split into two groups. Half headed off to the ropes course to test their nerves and courage. The other half spent a busy morning cranking out a calorie-crunching-muscle-building leg routine, followed by a slalom course, tire relay and Berg Und Thal activity. After all the stations were completed in the afternoon, the entire ELITEAM camp combined for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. By 5pm, campers were spent and sweaty, so they headed back to their dorms for a bit of rest time before Taco Tuesday dinner. The evening was split between Tasha’s Games on the field and AcroYoga in the gym. Tasha’s field games included a variety of Team Challenges involving mummies, frogs, cheers, water balloons and skits. The yoga group practiced some sweet moves accompanied by soothing spa tunes. After a final relaxation session with Doug, the campers were sent back to their dorms to rest up for the big hike tomorrow. (Although the boys dorm managed to find time to host the Bop-It World Championships before bed.)
Jackson H shared a quote with us today – “Never determine life by how many breaths you take… but by all the moments that take your breath away”
What was your favorite activity and why?
Ben Ruth – Ropes Course
Cody – The Dangle Duo because Cailin and I did well.
Jackson H – The Launching Pad because it was a lot of fun when I went BLINDFOLDED!
Nate B – Vertical Playpen. I had never done it before and was super excited to try.
Will P – The Dangle Duo because we finished it and it was the most challenging.
Brian – Ropes Course was so much fun and I reached my goals.
Julian – The Ropes Course because I like the heights and the brilliant feeling of completing them.
Kate: The Vertical Playpen, because I could push my limits and try to get to the top.
Libby: The ropes— the launch pad was awesome.
Riley W: The ropes course because it was fun and challenging.
Grace: The ropes course because they were challenging but also really fun at the same time.
Winter: The ropes course.
What was your most challenging moment today and how did you push through it?
Ben Ruth – The Leg Routine was hard and I got through it with the thought of lunch.
Cody – The backwards tucks. I just didn’t think about the pain.
Jackson H – The Vertical Playpen. I pushed through knowing lunch was next.
Nate B – The leg workouts. I kept going because I wanted to win against myself.
Will P – The Dangle Duo. I made it through because of Nate’s help.
Brian – The Vertical Playpen. It was so hard on my arms, but I pushed through it.
Julian – The Dangle Duo was the hardest as you had to push yourself. I struggled with my partner at one beam, but we persevered through it. We eventually were able to pull ourselves up.
Kate- The launching pad, I pushed through it by not thinking about it and just jumping.
Libby – Twisting my ankle on the slalom. I pushed through it by focusing on the course.
Riley W- Getting over the fear of how hard it might be to do the Vertical and told myself I was capable.
Grace – The first part of the leg routine and I pushed through it by thinking its almost over and its benefiting me in multiple ways.
Winter – The Dangle Duo because we set a goal and we reached it while having fun and losing a shoe!
How did you “Make It Count”?
Ben Ruth – I beat a speed record on the Vertical Playpen.
Cody – I just sent it.
Jackson H – By pushing through obstacles that felt impossible to do.
Nate B – I pushed myself to the limits.
Will P – By pushing my limits through the high ropes
Brian – I pushed through even though I was tired and finished each course.
Julian – I tried to do anything I could twice and pushed it every time.
Kate – I tried to surpass my goals on every activity.
Libby – By making the most of every moment I had.
Riley W – I tried my hardest even when I felt like it was tough.
Winter – I twisted my ankle in the tires but I kept pushing through.
Coaches Corner:
Coach Zack: My favorite part of the day was watching Ian and Ford complain that the launching pad was too easy so they decided to try and head butt it. They did so successfully!
Coach Tasha: My highlight was when Winter was climbing the Dangle Duo, when BAM she lost a shoe. Luckily Cody was there to catch the shoe and place it back on Winter’s foot before they landed on the ground.
Coach Doug:I laughed when I heard a conversation between Ben and camper Abi. She said to Ben “ What you said worked” and he responded “It’s bizarre what happens when you listen to me”.
Later during the ropes courses Jackson H explained to me that he is not a big fan of being blindfolded or jumping off a plank— so that is what he did, he said “its all about trust”.
