The first full day of camp went really well. It concluded with the first set of games. Daily we will give you the game results at the end of each blog entry.
The campers and counselors were up and out of the dorms by 8am for breakfast. Then it was time for the morning meeting on the steps of the Dick Gym. Coach Alexander gave an overview of what to expect for the day. The meeting concluded with each conference presenting a "Camperof the Day" award. Each day the counselors will discuss and nominate a camper they believe is worthy of this award. This camper may exhibit all or just some of the qualities of a great camper. The list of characteristics may include leadership, determination, helpfulness, humbleness, "coachability", positivity, etc.. Sometimes this camper just makes a fantastic play on the playing field that cannot go unrewarded!
By 9am the teams were assembled and practicing their choice of sport. Canteen came rather quickly at 10:15 and then the campers were off with their age groups for individual instruction. Each age group is labeled by a professional sports team. That's how we are able to keep them organized. Ten year olds are either Red Wings or Capitals. So, yesterday morning the Capitals gathered on the wrestling mat to work with Will Sutherland on wrestling skills. Will was a four-year wrestler here at WFS. He showed the guys basic skills. As the camp progresses, they will learn more advanced moves. At 11:30 the campers switch to another instruction group. An easy move for the Capitals, they traveled across the Barbee Center to strength training!
By 12:30 the campers were showered and up the hill for lunch time. Rest period soon followed. The boys are asked to stay on dorm and rest during this time. It normally runs from about 1:30pm - 2:45pm. They can join each other in their rooms or the common rooms, but they must not go from place to place or run around. After rest period an entire conference headed down to the outdoor pool. Each camper was asked to swim a a lap before enjoying the "deep end". Once the testing was finished, they got a great game of water volleyball going. The remaining conferences attended the clinics they signed up for in the morning. Daily the campers are asked to sign up for afternoon clinics. These clinics will run for the first several days of camp. If a camper feels he needs additional instruction or would like to learn a new sport, there is an opportunity to do just that. The following were offered yesterday afternoon; basketball with Coach Justus - Head Varsity Basketball coach at WFS, Football, Lacrosse, Baseball with Head Coach Heil - Varsity coach at WFS, Tennis, Golf with Marc Hogan - Head Varsity Golf Coach at WFS and Soccer with Coach Culbertson - Head Varsity Soccer Coach at WFS. These clinics are helpful and fun at the same time.
Canteen time again - 4pm... Soon after, the teams came together to practice the sport they were scheduled to play in the evening. This was their last chance to get prepared for their first official game. It didn't take any time for these teams to come together. This is the quickest I've ever seen the teams come together in the past five years. There are smiles on faces, fists knocking and pats on backs. Considering this year's camp is made up of at least 65% new faces, this is a pretty amazing observation.
Post dinner, we held a short meeting on the Dick Gym steps to give an overview of game play. Coach just wanted the kids to be aware that 50% of them will lose a game. They need to be prepared for victory and defeat. They need to be good sports and supportive of not only their teammate and conference, but also their opponent.
Things went pretty well. The games were exciting and the teams were well matched. We saw some great play in each game. Below are the results.
Basketball
Penn State - 42 Notre Dame – 32
Football
Texas – 7 Texas AM – 6
Hockey
Michigan – 6 Ohio State – 2
Lacrosse
UNC – 2 Duke – 1
Soccer
Miami – 2 Virginia – 1
Softball
LSU – 7 Stanford – 5
Shortly after 8pm, the teams were up the hill. Two teams headed out to the camp site for weenies and smores and the rest of the teams enjoyed the Fir Tree, Values Meetings and lights out by 10pm. All was well on campus last night... Day 2 concluded....
Enjoy yesterday's photos.
