At one point after dinner I looked across the field and saw a group of girls playing Wall-Ball, three kids walking on top of the tractor tires, a group of boys playing soccer, four kids riding their bikes and one camper on a unicycle. There is always a lot going on at ELITEAM.
This afternoon was spent in the ELITEAM woods with the groups taking on some crazy challenges that force the kids to work together. It is always amazing to me how athletes can come up with so many different ways to solve a simple problem. On the Nitro Crossing, where the group has to swing across a gap and all balance on a 18″x18″ piece of wood, a group actually stacked themselves horizontally instead of standing. Never even thought of trying it. I think the campers on the bottom layer were a bit squeezed, but IT WORKED.
After dinner, which saw every piece of broccoli eaten, we focused on agility. From balancing bamboo on our chins, to walking across a bridge of dowels, to “skipping through a field of bunnies,” the campers were focused on the task at hand while grinning from ear to ear. And when the exercises became races, they took the intensity to another level. Counselor Ava’s team, however, was a bit unfocused and ended up doing the most push-ups due to crooked lines and wandering teammates. As they did their 40th push-up of the night, one camper was overheard saying, “They are going to be ripped by the end of camp!”
We ended the evening with a bit of yoga and relaxation. The sun was setting. The air was cool and no bugs were out. The group was lying with their eyes closed in the grass, belly breathing and quiet. Let’s hope they fall asleep quickly tonight, as tomorrow is a big day with Sports Psychology training in the Ropes Course, and Sports Physiology in the gym.
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