Awards, Playoff games, Coach/Camper Games, El Vaq and Championships

The MVP's for each  sport were awarded at our morning meeting yesterday. We also awarded a couple of 'coaches of the day'. After thanking the coaches and campers for their behavior at Kings Dominion and for getting to the morning meeting on time, Coach Alexander laid out the days plan which included more playoff games, semi-final matches, fun games, tug of war, staff softball game, staff handball game, and four championship games. Coach stressed the importance of staying on time because we had a big night ahead of us. 

A couple of stories which came back from King's Dominion worth sharing included one of our little campers and a special needs boy. Inside a restaurant, one of our campers gave the stuffed animal which he had won to a little boy with special needs. The camper realized the little boy was admiring the prize so he walked over and offered it to him. The little boy was thrilled. Another sweet story involved the teenage boy running one of the games. He had struck up a conversation with one of our groups. This young man talked about how fortunate our counselors were to actually enjoy their job. He asked the guys if they found that their jobs were fulfilling and something to be proud of. The young man also commented on how fortunate the campers were to be at such a wonderful camp. After the group ate lunch they decided to take all of their lunch change and give it to the employee. 

Two dodge ball games were played first thing. One was a quarter final and the other a semi-final. In the meantime, a basketball semi-final was played in the Dick Gym. If teams weren't involved in a game but had one scheduled for the second morning session, they were to watch a game which was being played. The rest of the teams were scheduled to play a coach/camper flag football game. The campers were the offense and defense minus the quarterback. Coaches took turns at the QB position. That was interesting! Campers scrambled to sack the QB on each possession. This game also had an announcer in the press box whose commentary added to the fun.

At lunch time we took the overall point leading team to lunch at our local Mexican restaurant. Oregon had won the team competition. They enjoyed drinking Mexican Coke and Jarritos while eating chips and salsa. For lunch they chose, burritos, carnitas, taco salads, fajitas, and quesadillas.

After lunch, if teams weren't involved in the hockey semi-final or the handball semi-final they watched the Championship Basketball game in the Dick Gym. The gym was hot but the game was so exciting so it didn't matter. Oregon pulled off the win but West Point was in it right up until the end. 

After the bball game we raced down the hill to watch hockey, dodgeball and handball. By dinner we had crowned all four remaining championships. All three games were incredible but the handball game was determined in double overtime. Michigan won their second championship by beating Texas in hockey. Stanford won their first championship of camp. They beat Georgia in a seven game matchup. The double overtime handball game was between LSU and Brown. Wow! What a game. LSU had the final goal in the second overtime with their young guys. The second overtime brought out the B team. It was a great contest.










After dinner we bused teams down the hill and dropped them at Johnson Stadium. We held our annual Tug of War competition between teams. Navy was the winning team. By the time they won the final tug match they had tugged half a dozen times and they were still awesome in the end!

            

After the Tug of War campers could either watch the staff softball game outdoors or the staff handball game indoors. Both games were exciting. Several staff members hit homers. Campers gathered over the fence anticipating the hits. They fetched each one with great enthusiasm. Inside on the handball court, campers watched from behind the netting which hangs from the ceiling of the Barbee. The handball goes flying during this game!

Our final event of the night was our campfire. Because of the 50% chance of thunderstorms we decided to hold the campfire inside the Barbee. This was a bummer but we felt it was better to be safely inside just in case the storm amounted to something. It didn't but the kids were so engaged in the campfire meeting that it didn't matter. At our final campfire we award not only Camper of the Week but also the Tiger Camper Award and Honor Camper Award. The cleanest room competition was so close we awarded the top prize to two teams last night. They were awarded with pizza on dorm after the meeting. West Point was also given pizza last night because they had to endure six playoff games yesterday. Their perseverance and resilience was incredible.

Although we're exhausted we're always sorry to see the final day of camp arrive. It has once again been a wonderful experience. The campers and counselors this year are an incredibly fabulous group of young men and kids. Thank you for sharing your amazing children. Please enjoy the below link to yesterday's photos and videos. Feel free to share the blog with the kids when they get home. We talked a bit about it on and off during camp. Many of the boys would often ask how they can find the photos. Please enjoy the rest of your summer and safe traveling!

July 7 Video

July 7 Photos

#KD2016

Yesterday our entire group traveled to Doswell, Virginia for our final field trip. Located about twenty miles north of Richmond is Kings Dominion or KD, a very popular theme park.  The park wasn't too full, possibly because of the hot weather, so the kids were able to get on the ride of their choice without a long wait.

This amusement park is set up nicely. There are plenty of places to eat. They even have a water park. Small groups of campers traveled together throughout the park with the counselor they drafted the other night. Our group wore bright orange WFS Sports Camp t-shirts. They could be spotted all over the park. Centrally located in the park, is a replica of the Eiffel Tower. From the top you can look down and see groups of orange all over.

One of the most popular rides is the Drop Tower. This thing takes you up only to drop you down quickly and then stop mid-air. Other favorites include: Volcano, Anaconda, Intimidator, and Hurler. Additionally, some of the boys won prizes at the basketball shoot, football throw and other games.

     

Our final field trip was a success. The gang arrived back on campus just prior to 8 pm. They showered and held their values meeting and then were off to bed. Campus was very quiet last night. I bet everyone was worn out!


Today is the last of the tournament. By this evening all of the champions will be determined. We'll also hold our annual staff Softball and Handball games. The campers LOVE to watch these matches. We will also have our final campfire of 2016. 

Tournament update...

So far what we know is this:

Football Champions - UNC
Lacrosse Champions - Michigan
Soccer Champions - UNC
Softball Champions - West Point


Tournament Games Today:

Hockey
 Quarter Final - West Point/Stanford
 Semi Final - Texas vs winner of quarter final
 Championship Game - Michigan vs winner of semi final

Handball
 Quarter Final - UNC/West Point
 Semi Final - Brown vs winner of UNC/West Point
 Play off game - Michigan/Kentucky
 Quarter Final - Harvard vs winner of Michigan/Kentucky
 Semi Final - LSU vs winner of quarter final

 Championship Game - TBD

Dodgeball
 Quarter Final - Stanford/UNC
 Semi Final - West Point vs winner of quarter final
 Semi Final -  Michigan/Georgia
 Championship Game - TBD

Basketball
 Semi Final - UNC/Oregon
 Championship Game - West Point vs winner of Semi Final

Tomorrow is closing day. Travel safe and we'll see you in the morning!

Kings Dominion Photos 2016

Battlefields, Championships and VIP's

What do battlefield tours, championship games and VIP visits have in common? They all happened at Sports Camp yesterday. 

Because they are both completely out of the tournament, Notre Dame and Navy loaded onto mini-buses in the morning and rode to Wilderness Battlefield. I was able to snap this photo of ND as they headed out on their adventure. Both teams, when they returned, said they learned a lot and enjoyed their trip. Wilderness is less than an hour from Woodberry. The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War. The campers and coaches toured the site and then watched a documentary. They also had a picnic lunch and returned to campus just in time for dinner.

Meanwhile, back at the forest, the tournament continued. There were quarter final or semi-final games played in five sports during the first session. The lacrosse championship  was played at 10:45am. Michigan met up with Kentucky. The Wildcats, as you may recall, upset LSU to make it to the final round. Michigan knew they were playing an underdog and decided to remind Kentucky of that fact. The Wolverines scored three quick goals on their first three possessions. Kentucky wasn't going to give in right away. They followed with a few goals of their own before half time. Michigan settled down during the rest, made some adjustments, and came out full steam to finish the game. It remained close through the third quarter but Michigan secured the win in the fourth. The final was 9-6.

After lunch and rest period the football championship game was played on Hanes Field complete with an announcer. Coach Marr and the head coach of Texas, DeTrea Smith shared the mic and exchanged banter during the event. It was a heck of a game. Campers who came out and weathered the heat were not disappointed. Just before the end of the first half Georgia had diminished UNC's twelve point lead. We had ourselves a ball game! The third quarter was a defensive battle. Neither team scored. Each team had come close. Finally toward the end of the fourth, UNC drove down the field and popped into the end zone. Georgia made some good ground but a turnover led to another UNC score. The final was 31-22 UNC. The Tarheels would win the first of their two championships.

After a championship photo, UNC grabbed canteen, water and some shade before they had to play soccer. The championship soccer game was scheduled during the final afternoon session. You never know how the brackets are going to play out. It just so happened that UNC would have to play back to back games. They were pumped after their big win and were up for the challenge!

Harvard had only played dodgeball in the morning session so they were fresh and rested for the afternoon soccer game. They came out strong. Their leading scorer was focused and determined. He was vocal and methodical throughout the entire match. Despite the efforts of Harvard's fearless leader, the Tarheels scored the first goal. UNC's mid-fielders are big and strong. They powered right through Harvard's defense. At halftime UNC was up 2-0. Harvard came out in the second half determined not to let this game get away. It didn't! They scored right away and now we had a game. Harvard would score two more times in the second half but UNC answered each one. The Tarheels eventually scored the final goal sealing Harvard's fate. The final was 5-3 UNC.

While the soccer championship was going on there was something goofy happening on the football field. Alabama and Oregon were scheduled to play a consolation game. They wanted to meet up again for a re-match so Coach Alexander scheduled the game. Apparently they weren't too serious about a 'do-over'. They just wanted to have fun and they did just that. Coaches and refs traded shirts with the campers. I was surprised to see young kids wearing orange shirts and whistles with yellow flags in their hands when I stopped by on my way to the basketball court. They were actually trying to conduct a game. It was total chaos but they were having a great time!

Just before the end of the afternoon period, Coach Alexander was called away. He had an unexpected phone call. He left campus briefly and returned with a special guest (VIP). CJ Prosise '12, Woodberry Alumnus, former Sports Camp Counselor, Notre Dame Alumnus and current Seattle Seahawk, was on his way home to Petersburg, VA when he decided to check in at the forest. What a welcome! Campers and counselors crowded around CJ. Kids recognized him right away. 

CJ stuck around for dinner in the dining hall, the championship softball game, and then a visit to the Fir Tree. He had looked forward to getting his usual, grilled cheese with bacon and a blue slushie all day. We appreciate his thoughtfulness in stopping by and his graciousness as he was inundated with questions and kids who just wanted to touch him. It was so fun to watch.

Our final game of the day was played on the softball diamond. Georgia found themselves in another final. They earned it. They have some big hitters and fantastic fielders. West Point is a team equally as talented. In fact, they have one camper with a  75% home run rate. 75% of his 'at bats' resulted in a home run during camp. He is AMAZING and did not disappoint in this game. In fact, he hit two homers and a double. I am not sure how many RBI's he had but I'm pretty sure he was responsible for the majority of the runs. West Point was crowned the champions. Georgia surprised us all by celebrating with West Point. It was one of the best things I've ever seen at Sports Camp and I was able to capture it on video for you to enjoy.

WOW! What a full day. By writing this blog I find myself exhausted all over again. Tomorrow we'll play the final championship games and have our last campfire. I've posted a link to videos, but please be aware there have been videos embedded in the photo albums as well. Enjoy!

July 5 Video

July 5 Photos