Camp Recap

A lot goes into camp and it was a bit stressful in the weeks leading up to it, wondering if we would be able to have much of a camp because of the lack of snow.  Our practice time on snow has been inconsistent this season and I was worried we wouldn't really get the full effect of a camp due to the snow conditions in NW Wisconsin and wondering if I should start looking for other areas to ski. Luckily for all of us, the snow came and the conditions were great, not just in Birkie land but at Timberland Hills as well.

It is hard to say how successful this years camp will be until we see the skiers racing and how they finish out this season, not in terms of winning or losing, but in how much more comfortable and confident they are in their skiing abilities.  But, in the idea of getting camp this year and being able to do every workout we were wanting to do, which has not happened in about 5 years, camp was a success!

The skiers got the opportunity to get more time on snow and to ski as much as they could then they would in over a weeks amount of regular practices in just 3 days, and with that, we as coaches saw a lot of good effort and quality time for all of those that could be there.  As many of you saw last night when the skiers got home, there wasn't much left and it was a pretty quiet bus ride home too!!  They worked to their abilities and beyond and it will be fun to see if they can take what they have learned and what they have gained and continue to apply it at practices and their races.

What was also fun for myself to see at camp was the fun they were having together when we weren't skiing.  It didn't matter what age or if they were on the boys team or the girls team, they were just a team, and having fun in the pool, in the lounge/lobby, and in the conference room where they ate and we got to do some games (lots of good laughs from all!).

Camp has changed over the years, not being at Telemark Lodge is one area, the increased number of warming cabins on the Birkie Trail, but also the amount of interest from the families has grown a lot.  We had more parent volunteers want to be a part of the trip than any other trip we have taken in the past, and they went above and beyond to help make the trip a positive experience for all of the skiers.  With all of the soup and additional food sent up from all of the families and the pizzas ordered by the Boosters, the skiers had plenty of food to eat.  Our traditional second day Birkie adventures have also become much easier, not only because of the cabins available, but the parents that went out to those cabins to warm them up, support the skiers as they came through, but also have extra supplies of food and hand warmers for those that needed them.  Being one that has skied the American Birkebeiner  multiple times, it is getting closer to embracing the spirit of the race, with the only thing missing being the music and the big crowds of spectators!  So Thank you to all of the parents that helped in any way and especially to those that came up to support and help at Camp this year!! It really helps give the skiers a positive experience!

Lastly, thanks to Coach Nelson, Coaches Abby and Jerlie, and Ricky for all of the extra time they put into helping the skiers get better and for helping figure out the best ways to get the skiers to improve and reach goals that they all had for camp!!  Camp cannot happen if we are all not on the same page and I knew that if there was something they wanted to do or that I would like for them to focus on with the skiers, that they would go above and beyond and make it a great learning experience for the skiers!

So, Camp is done and we are about half way through the season.  We are a long ways a way from the end of this story.  Let's go put more in and see where it takes us!!

Thanks!
Denny