Yesterday's blog post. Day 5 was opening day at camp. Campers arrived late morning and we didn't waste any time getting started. We greeted them, a few of us reconnected with a few campers from last year who are now in the leadership development program, then our whole group went off for ropes course training. Ropes course takes these kids ages 10-13 up 30 feet in the air on high wires. We have one coach on each of the four poles up in the air with them to help them navigate the very scary course. We have two others on the ground "on belay", which means they have each kid harnessed off on a safety rope. We had a couple of coaches on top of the rock climbing wall and zip line, and another couple of belay anchors at bottom of the rock climbing wall. Several others help kids get their harnesses and helmets on properly. Rest in photos. Enjoy!
Also, quickly, we kicked off our sport majors as well. Each of us is assigned to a specific sport, as I think you already know. We did that for almost two hours from 6pm-7:45pm. First day of sports major is always a challenge. Have to get to know kids, establish some ground rules, and figure out what level of skill they have if any. Brad O and I spent the first 20 minutes of baseball teaching half the kids what a baseball glove is, which hand it goes on, and how to put them on. Good times!
After sports major is dinner, which is at roughly 8:00 p.m. each night. Then, after dinner, we have an event of some kind. Last night was war ball, which to keep it simple is nothing more than dodge ball on the tennis courts between the two competing teams at camp. Campers are divided into Alphas and Omegas. One is red and one is blue. They compete against one another all week long and at the end one is declared a winner over the other by total number of points earned.
War Ball at night. My camera not good at night.
Brad's is good but I don't have Brad's camera
to upload any photos. I'm sure Jordan our
media person will have some great shots at
some point for you all.
My friend Andy, who is on staff at camp, and me
at war ball. Andy is an expert at high ropes and
climbing. He taught me most of what I know
last year... along with Nader (not pictured).
Brad and Lindsey enjoying a water
and ice cream break at 30 feet above
sand level.
View to ground straight down from the pole
where I was stationed. It's scary but also
thrilling, and you get very comfortable up
there once you've done it a few times!
Picture of me taken by me at my pole station
30 feet up.
Portrait of Lindsey 30 feet up.
Portrait of Brad 30 feet up. Not a
whole bunch you can take photos
of while standing on a 30 foot pole.
I am trying to get pictures of as
many of us as I can so all of you can
enjoy these photos.
Portrait of John Michael at 30
feet. JM took to high ropes like an
eagle takes to the air! He absolutely
loves this activity and is excellent
with the kids who are coming across
thoroughly terrified of falling.
John Michael talking a camper to safety. Not
sure if this was her, but we had a climber/camper
from Plano! Yes, she lives in Plano and spends
her summers here with family and attends camp.
Brad gets the kids up to 30 feet
and sends them on to me, then on
to Lindsey, to John Michael, back
to Brad, and they are hoisted down
by Chris or Barry.
Another view from 30 feet.
Barry on belay. Don't think I'm
spelling that right, but his job is to
serve as anchor and safety. Kids
are tied off to Barry. He's a big dude.
No chance of any kids falling... or us
for that matter!
John Michael, Zack, and Nicole resting at
bottom of the ropes course awaiting their turns
to climb. They all went and conquered their
fears of height.
Two of the campers from last year who returned
to participate in the leadership development
program. Left is Sara, right is Farida. They were
both in our baseball group last year.
Justin, Brad O, and Rebecca try to squeeze
into the tiny bit of shade opposite the climbing
wall while we trained.
Barry helping John Michael learn the ropes.
Get it? Ha!
Chris helping Nicole learn the ropes.
Not as funny the second time.
Brad giving us a tour Monday morning before
the campers arrived. This is the camp stadium
where big events and soccer occur.
More tour of basketball courts.
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