By Sue Bergstrom for Valdez City News –
Every summer kids look forward to sports camps, despite the amount of work involved, because the effort is by choice and they’re doing what they love. This year basketball and volleyball camps for all ages are at Herman Hutchins Elementary school July sixth through the tenth. The schedule is set up so that it’s possible to attend both camps during that week.
According to information on the Valdez City Schools web site, both camps will have highly professional staff who want to use the sport they’re teaching to help participants develop both physical and life skills through instruction, practice and teamwork. Coaches are pros who coach for large programs in the lower forty-eight and are going to expect people to work as well as have a good time, stretching their limits and challenging themselves.
According to Valdez High School Principal, Rod Schug, who is the local contact for the camps, these camps are open to all. There are no skill requirements. It’s not necessary to live in Valdez or to attend Valdez City Schools to participate. There is no limit to enrollment in each camp. The $50.00 fee covers one or both camps for the entire week.
Basketball Camp Volleyball Camp
9:00-10:00 Youth Development 9:30-12:00 High School/Elite
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10:30-12:00 Mid-Skill 1:00-2:00 Youth Development
1:00-3:30 High School/Elite 2:00-3:30 Mid-Skill
Goals for these camps include the development of health and fitness, motor skills, balance and body-control as well as leadership, confidence, self-esteem and cooperation. The idea is that lessons learned participating in sports can enhance a person’s life and make them better able to succeed in other areas as well.
Each camp has very specific skill-sets to work on, gradually fine-tuining them from level to level. So the Youth Development sections will be getting players comfortable with the rules of the game, terminology and basic skills while Mid-Level will hone the skills previously learned and work more on strategy. The High School/Elite level is a little different because inviting all comers in this age group means that the skills and levels of knowledge may vary wildly.
Camps are sponsored by Sound Wellness Alliance Network (SWAN), a non profit that was established in 2009. The mission statement on their web site reads, “To provide every Prince William Sound Resident the opportunity to improve their health and well being.” SWAN focuses on partnerships with other entities in the community such as Providence Valdez Medical Center, Valdez Parks and Recreation, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and Prince William Sound Community College. Other programs they sponsor are Ski for Free in partnership with PWSCC and UAA which provides nordic skiing equipment to use for up to three days at no charge, Healthier You, the health and fitness challenge program that is run annually in cooperation with Valdez Parks and Recreation and the Know Your Numbers campaign in partnership with Providence Valdez Medical Center, which provides free biometric screening.
Information and registration forms for these camps are at http://www.edline.net/pages/Valdez_City_Schools To contact Rod Schug email rschug@valdezcityschools.org or call 907-834-2301 or 907-314-0636
