Sunday, August 12 — Arrive at the back parking lot of the gym at 8 am to load the vans (back where the tan vans are parked). Bring a packed lunch with all disposable containers. The vans will stop for lunch on the way there.

Saturday, August 18 — Pickup time at Fairland will be approximately 2:30pm. For the ride home, we need 10 disposable juice boxes, water, capri suns, etc. and 10 dry snacks that do not need refrigeration (ie. Cheese/cracker packs, pretzels) Please email me if you can bring a box of something that morning. We need enough for 10, including the coach.

Camp Address: 911 Watring Chapel Rd, Terra Alta, WV 26764

List of items to remember to pack:

• Workout wear for 11 practices: Leos & socks for girls; shorts, tshirt and socks for boys.
• Sneakers and clothes for running.
• Bathing suit, towel, sunscreen.
• Flip flops, crocs or sandals
• Bug spray.
• PJs
• Flashlight
• Toothpaste, toothbrush
• Hairbrush, ponytail holders, etc.
• Shampoo, soap
• Clothes to hang out in, when not practicing.
• Warm clothes, ie sweatshirt and sweatpants.
• Pillow and sleeping bag. Or sheets and blanket. It gets chilly at night so bring a warm blanket (not too bulky though because we have to fit everything in the van).
• Light jacket for rain (optional)
• Other optional items: camera, book, ipod, small games, playing cards

* Cell phones use will be allowed on the buses to and from the camp. All cell phones will be held by coaches while at camp and will be distributed at specific approved call times. Please note that phone reception is patchy and not always available.

Sunday, August 7 — Arrive at the back parking lot of the gym at 8 am to load the vans (back where the tan vans are parked). Bring a packed lunch with all disposable containers. The vans will stop for lunch on the way there.

Saturday, August 13 — Pickup time at Fairland will be approximately 2:30pm. For the ride home, we need 18 disposable juice boxes, water, capri suns, etc. and 18 dry snacks that do not need refrigeration (ie. Cheese/cracker packs, pretzels) Please email me if you can bring a box of something that morning. We need enough for 18, including the coaches. The vans have limited space, so please confirm with me if you want to contribute snacks so we do not have too much.

Camp Address: 911 Watring Chapel Rd, Terra Alta, WV 26764

List of items to remember to pack:

• Workout wear for 11 practices: Leos & socks for girls; shorts, tshirt and socks for boys.
• Sneakers and clothes for running.
• Bathing suit, towel, sunscreen.
• Flip flops, crocs or sandals
• Bug spray.
• PJs
• Flashlight
• Toothpaste, toothbrush
• Hairbrush, ponytail holders, etc.
• Shampoo, soap
• Clothes to hang out in, when not practicing.
• Warm clothes, ie sweatshirt and sweatpants.
• Pillow and sleeping bag. Or sheets and blanket. It gets chilly at night so bring a warm blanket (not too bulky though because we have to fit everything in the van).
• Light jacket for rain (optional)
• Other optional items: camera, book, ipod, small games, playing cards

* Cell phones use will be allowed on the buses to and from the camp. All cell phones will be held by coaches while at camp and will be distributed at specific approved call times. Please note that phone reception is patchy and not always available.

Olympic Development Program (ODP)

Level 10 athlete Stephanie Van Albert recently attended the Olympic Development Program Qualification Camp in Rocklin, California.  To qualify for Camp, athletes aged 9 to 14 years competing Level 10 must finish in the top 10 in Level 10 and athletes aged 9 to 12 years competing Level 9 must finish in the top 10 in Level 9 at 2010 Junior Olympic Championships.

From October 7 through 10, Stephanie participated in four days of training, physical abilities testing, and competing.  As a result of her hard work, Stephanie was the top-ranked girl in the 13 to 14 year age group and earned a position on the ODP National Team.  Congratulations Stephanie!  Click here to see 2011 ODP National Team or click here to view camp pictures.

Some of you may have heard from your children yesterday when the kids with phones were given time to make calls. I had a brief call from Maura and heard that everyone was having a good time, getting along with each other, and there were no major issues of homesicknesses. She said it was warm there, but not hot.  (She had on shorts and a t-shirt and said she contemplated wearing a sweatshirt over – if you can even imagine that).

Here is the update for today…

Last night they had a campfire dinner and roasted marshmallows.  After dinner they did the Bravery Test, which is basically walking up the mountain in the dark, in small groups, without a flashlight.  Once they all got to the top, they went for a night swim in the pool, which WAS lighted. They swam late, finishing up at 11 pm.

Today was their day to sleep in and miss morning run/practice. Everyone had a late breakfast and did a single practice session.  Later they did the “killer run.”  You’ll have to ask your kids what exactly this entails, but I think it involves a mountain and a stopwatch, so use your imagination. They cooled off with a swim and were planning to do a no-handed ice-cream eating contest tonight.

If anyone has any other news to share, they can login (at left) and comment to this post.

– Leanne

Picnic lunch. Practice. Making bracelets.

This morning, during our run up the mountain, it was really pretty. When we got to the top we played spud until Lucky, the dog, popped the ball. After morning practice we finally got our phones back for a little bit. Now we all have time to relax; we’re making bracelets and eating popsicles. Tonight we plan on doing the bravery test, campfire, and a night swim, unless it rains again.