Gymnastics Camp

[fruitcake]

i have looked at camps for several years but never sent my girls to one. it seems like a lot of money to spend and while i know they would have a blast, the whole family could have a fun trip on what it would cost to send the 2 girls. also our coaches aren't real fond of the camps because so often the girls come back with "new skills' that the coaches then have to reteach because they aren't done right. however, the camps look like a lot of fun!

[DLagerstedt]

For several years our gym attended Lake Owen Camp. The camp facilities and staff are wonderful. Structure time, free time, evening camp activities, great food. We drive 8 hours to get to camp and have a blast. I began as a mini mom for our gym of girls, stayed with them in the cabin, preformed afternoon activities, like helping at the arts and crafts area or at the bungie tramp area. For the last two years I was the camp recreation director for two weeks during the summer. I really like the place, can you tell.

[mom2kazkids]

For those that have been at Lake Owen as moms to camp, how many do they typically hire for a week. I have applied for the week that my DD gym is going. My first choice is camp nurse (I am an RN), but I am open to other positions. My daughter going is contingent on me getting a position as she just turned 7 and has not been to overnight camp yet. I can see that if I get hired this summer, and she goes there are 10 more summers in her future with or without me.

[gymnastmom96]

FlipFest is AWESOME! My dd has been to several ICG and college camps but nothing compares. John and John impressed us with thier family friendly meets. I love the organization and set up. Camp is the same. We were impressed with how they covered every detail and parent concern from camp security to food. Mine goes for 2 weeks and would stay longer if we could afford it.

[crazygymom]

Last summer my daughter's gym hosted a Gattaca camp and she loved it. Courtney and Ashley Kuptets were there and were so good with the girls. I was unable to stay and watch because my son was playing in a soccer tournament the same weekend. I didn't really get to see much of what they did with the girls.

This year I am thinking of sending my 8 year old to Bela Karolyi's camp outside of Houston but here is my question. What do coaches do at these camps?? Do they help them with their current routines?? Are these camps really for the elite or optional girls?? Will an 8 year old get much out of it??

[Geoffrey Taucer]

With just about any gymnastics camp, older girls are likely to get more out of it than younger ones.

The coaches most likely won't work with the girls on their routines, but they'll work on specific skills and progressions that could be useful.

[crazygymom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey Taucer With just about any gymnastics camp, older girls are likely to get more out of it than younger ones. The coaches most likely won't work with the girls on their routines, but they'll work on specific skills and progressions that could be useful.

Would my daughters coaches tell the camp skills that they need to work on?? Does our gym submit her scores from last season?? How do the camp coaches determine what they are going to work on??

[kristilyn73]

We love Lake Owen!

I think it is the best of both worlds, 2 different required Gym times a third optional gym time and the real camp experience, bon fire, A lake to go boating and swimming.

My DD loves it and so does her team

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by crazygymom Would my daughters coaches tell the camp skills that they need to work on?? Does our gym submit her scores from last season?? How do the camp coaches determine what they are going to work on??

Depending on the camp, they'll either

a) Test them out when they get there and use that to divide the girls up by skill level

b) Ask them what level they were last year or what level they'll be next year, and use that to divide them up

The greatest strength and the greatest weakness of these camps is that you're working with somebody aside from your normal coach. This is a big strength because often getting a slightly different piece of advice on some skill, or being given the same advice phrased differently (or sometimes phrased exactly the same but by a different person) can often make a huge difference in getting a skill. It also often means that kids will try some skills that they might never have been asked to try in their home gym, and come home with something new and unusual to show.

It can also be a big weakness, because sometimes there are specific skills a coach wants their kids working on, and coaches have zero say-so in what their kids do when they go off to camp.

In most cases, I'd say the advantages outweight the disadvantages from a coaching perspective. Older kids will generally benefit the most, though kids of just about any age will probably have a lot of fun.

[Shawn]

My daughter is definitely not ready for camp yet (she's only 6) but is there a specific age or level when girls are "ready" for camp? When do they become the "older" girls that get more out of it? And do their regular coaches not get upset when their girls go off to be trained by someone else?