Draft Day, Playoffs and Musical Chairs

The Kings Dominion Draft was taken to the next level this year. After the evening playoff games everyone headed up to the Walker Fine Arts Center. Coach Marr had set the stage - literally!

Over the past week, campers have been getting together with other campers to form their Kings Dominion groups. Unlike Water Country, where teams travel around the park together, campers create their own teams for KD. They usually get together with new or old friends - or both. We added a new element this year. These groups have always given their teams names but this year we asked them to be more thoughtful of their team name and we made it a contest. The best team name, chosen by a small group of administrators, were given the first pick in the 2016 Draft. In fact, the top four names were given the top four picks in the draft. The best team name this year, as chosen by the small council, was Children of the Caughron. I'm not sure if this team knew the significance of their name. Hopefully the counselor who helped them with this creative selection gave them the back story. As you may or may not know, Red and Cathy Caughron led Sports Camp for the first twenty five years of it's existence. Red was a legend at Woodberry and earned this status not only as the Sports Camp Director but also as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. Both Red and Cathy have passed away but their spirits live on through the campers and counselors who come together each summer for three weeks during Sports Camp. Second, third an fourth place names included, Keeping up with the Sari's, The White Flags and The WFS 49ers.

The first pick of 2016, as made by Chidren of the Caughron, was Derek Lora, also known as DLo. There was little debate on stage about this pick. This team knew exactly who they wanted. Coach Marr and his fellow correspondent, former camper and first time support staff member, Scotty Pittman called DLo over for a quick interview after the pick. Derek was elated and humbled. He had a few words to say and then we were on to the second pick. 

On and off during the draft Coach Marr showed old photos from past drafts and also candid photos from this year's camps. Counselors were often surprised by some of the photos showing up on the large screen. Certain photos brought "awws" and laughs. The onstage banter, cheers from the crowd, and draft picks went on for the next hour or so until all of the teams had made their first round pick. After the event, teams went back to dorm and enjoyed a pizza party. Upon departure they were thrilled to be reminded that breakfast would be at 9am instead of 8am.

In addition to the draft there were many playoff games. Teams competed ferociously. As you may recall, the playoffs during Sports Camp is 'one and done'. Brown won the first two Dodgeball games of the playoffs taking down Oregon and Navy. We started to call them the Kings of Dodgeball but then they ran into one of the most disciplined teams in camp - West Point. The Black Knight's do not play around. They beat Brown 4 games to 2. 

Notre Dame and Harvard met up on the football field during the afternoon session. This game went into overtime. Harvard had been behind through three quarters. They came back in the fourth to tie it up and then they had to hold Notre Dame from scoring. They did just that in four downs inside the thirty yard line to force an overtime situation. They scored on their first possession and then held the Irish again to secure the win.

We added a new element to camp. Yesterday we held the first ever Musical Chairs Competition with counselors. Campers assembled in the stands at Johnson Stadium. Fifteen chairs were placed on Hanes Field and sixteen representatives from each team were present to take part. The competitors were either coaches or referees. Bebe Olaniyan, assistant coach for Oregon and former camper, was the last man standing. He earned 8 points for his team. As you can imagine, the counselors became quite competitive during the game. They still managed to have fun and the campers were thoroughly entertained!

As I write this everyone is up and around. We're ready for another full day of playoff games. Enjoy your Sunday!

Kings Dominion Draft

Photos from July 2 Games

It Begins

It's playoff season here at Sports Camp!

After dinner we held the first of our play off games. During a meeting held just after rest period yesterday teams were informed of their seed placement for the playoffs. The last of our regular season games were held that morning at 9am so Coach Alexander worked through lunch to get the playoff brackets set up. The first of the playoff games did not disappoint. On the handball court Navy and Brown came close to going into overtime when the Bears scored a last second goal. The final was Navy 12, Brown 13. 

     

UNC and Notre Dame faced off in hockey. The first half was incredibly exciting with the score staying at 2-2. In the second half Notre Dame was on fire scoring four  unanswered goals. The Irish will move on to the next round.

In the Cage Harvard came back from an eight point deficit to take the lead. Their big guy almost single handedly brought them from behind. The lead changed several times before Oregon hit a couple of three point shots. Time ran out before Harvard could come back. It was an 'Instant Classic' Sports Camp Playoff Game!

   

A storm blew in during the afternoon session. Teams had practice time from 3:00pm-4:00pm but toward the end of this time period a dark cloud covered the area and thunder was in the distance. We brought the gang into the Barbee and held  conference matches. During conference games we gather the campers by age group. For example, the 12, 13 & 14 years olds in the Southern Conference competed against the same age group from the Northern Conference in Dodgeball. There were several matches like this going on in the Barbee and the Cage. Campers played not only Dodgeball, but Hockey, Handball, and Basketball. After showers and a bus ride up the hill we were all in the dining hall for dinner. During dinner we kept an eye on the weather. Everyone was hoping we would be outside for the first playoff games and then out to the campsite for our second campfire. Their wish came true! We were able to play an outdoor lacrosse game and by 9pm we were down at the campsite.

At our second campfire, coaches awarded Camper of the Week, we watched six team skits and also the support staff skit. The camper skits were entertaining but the support staff skit brought down the house. Former camper and first time counselor, Anthony Sleiman's portrayal of Coach Alexander was priceless!

 

   

This morning we'll hold our daily meeting on the steps of the Dick Gym and then head down the hill for Playoff Games. We'll probably play four rounds of games if the weather holds. Right now it's GORGEOUS! Our day will finish with the  annual King's Dominion Counselor Draft which, for the first time, will be held in Bowman Gray Auditorium. There's never a dull moment at Sports Camp.

Enjoy your day!

July 1 Photos

Burn Baby Burn

Belly Flops and Snow Cones

Belly Flops and Snow Cones at Sports Camp? Some of our campers felt like they won the lottery when they saw the Kona Ice truck drive by. Although Coach Alexander had mentioned during morning meeting that we would have Snow Cones after the evening games many had forgotten. When campers came out of the Barbee they were surprised and ran with excitement toward the truck which was set up and already handing out cups of ice. The fruit flavors were located on the side of the truck where the kids could squirt the desired amount onto crushed ice.

            

Yesterday seemed to be full of non-stop fun! After rest period we held our 31st round of games. Canteen followed and then everyone assembled inside our natatorium to watch another team competition. Swimmers competed in the 50m race.

                         

After the camper race it was time for the Counselor Belly Flop contest. Coach Alexander, Varsity Basketball Coach Craig Dawson, and our beloved Mrs. Rob sat down to judge the contest.There were some entertaining flops but for the third year in a row, the coach of Michigan, Wylie Mendicino took home first place honors. To view more great flops, check out the link below the photos link at the end of this post.

This morning the sun is out and the birds are chirping. The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the mid 80's with only a 20% chance of precipitation. We're hoping this holds true so that we can be outside at our campfire tonight. It's hard to believe we'll be holding our second of three campfires. Camp is moving at a fast and furious pace and the kids wouldn't have it any other way. Enjoy the photos and videos!

June 30 Photos

Belly Flops 2016