Gymnastics Camp

[Scout's Mom]

My daughter went the the Karolyi summer camp a few years ago between levels 4 and 5. It was strictly a "for fun" camp. She got the feel of some upper level skills as they heavily spotted her through them.

I wouldn't expect your child to make any great strides. My daughter came home very enthusiastic; and since she went with her team, it was a great bonding experience.

The day the girls got there, they were "tested" and that determined the groups.

When my daughter went, the food was terrible--not just my daughter's opinion. I understand that it has improved dramatically--but you might check on it. Based on the food, my daughter refused to go back!

[gymgirl1999]

I went to Geddarts Twistars gymnastics camp in Michigan last year. I learned so many new things there, it was great. They have all kinds of coaches from colleges and the best gyms in Region 5 teaching the camp. I can't wait too go this year. They have already sent me my registration papers for it. They fill up fast so if I were you I would sign up soon.

[gym law mom]

My gymmie will be at Lake Owen for the 2nd session in June. 1st time doing a gym camp and will be working on her L8 skills. What makes me feel this will be good is that the head coach works there a few weeks each summer and will be at camp the week she and all the other girls from the gym go. He said he will have time that week to work a little with them and also make sure they get time during the optional part of the day with coaches that can help them. He'll also be around to answer questions about skills, levels if the staff has them. I know they get evaluated on Sunday evening, so that Monday am they go right to their groups.

Shawn--most camps require the girls to be 7-9 as an age minimum. If your dd was going with a group and had a coach from her gym, she might get more out of it at a younger age. If she would end up going by herself, I would wait until she's a little older, ready to be away from home and wanting to spend a week working gym skills taught by someone else.

[crazygymom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scout's Mom My daughter went the the Karolyi summer camp a few years ago between levels 4 and 5. It was strictly a "for fun" camp. She got the feel of some upper level skills as they heavily spotted her through them. I wouldn't expect your child to make any great strides. My daughter came home very enthusiastic; and since she went with her team, it was a great bonding experience. The day the girls got there, they were "tested" and that determined the groups. When my daughter went, the food was terrible--not just my daughter's opinion. I understand that it has improved dramatically--but you might check on it. Based on the food, my daughter refused to go back!

Are there any other camps that you would suggest in Texas??

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?

There isn't really one place where I can draw the line. They will probably get something out of it at any age, but the older they are (to a point), the more they're likely to get out of it (at least at a camp like woodward, where they don't shephard your kid around). Come to think of it, at more structured camps than Woodward, age may not make as much of a difference.

I guess if I had a kid (which I don't) and enough money to send him/her to camp (ha!), I probably wouldn't send them somewhere like woodward until they were at least 9 years old. With a more structured camp, I'd probably lower that age to 8 (maybe even 7).

Woodward's lack of structure is a big weakness for younger kids, because the burden is on them to keep track of time and to go wherever they need to go. However, I think this becomes an advantage with kids old enough to do this; I think having the choice of whether or not to head in and work out makes them work much harder (and they almost always choose to go in and work out when given the opportunity).

Quote:
And do their regular coaches not get upset when their girls go off to be trained by someone else?

I imagine there are some that do, but I believe most don't. I certainly don't mind when my kids go to camps.

[Scout's Mom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by crazygymom Are there any other camps that you would suggest in Texas??

My daughter went to the gymnastics camp at TWU (Texas Women's University). Once again, it was mostly just for fun. The girls stayed in dorm rooms, and the college gymnasts were their counselors.

They had access to the university swimming pool, and there were many fun evening activities. The food must have been fine, because I never heard anything.

[crazygymom]

Has anyone ever done the 2 or 3 day camps at Bart Conners gym in Norman?? Any feedback on the program??

[ZJsMom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrey Taucer There isn't really one place where I can draw the line. They will probably get something out of it at any age, but the older they are (to a point), the more they're likely to get out of it (at least at a camp like woodward, where they don't shephard your kid around). Come to think of it, at more structured camps than Woodward, age may not make as much of a difference. I guess if I had a kid (which I don't) and enough money to send him/her to camp (ha!), I probably wouldn't send them somewhere like woodward until they were at least 9 years old. With a more structured camp, I'd probably lower that age to 8 (maybe even 7). Woodward's lack of structure is a big weakness for younger kids, because the burden is on them to keep track of time and to go wherever they need to go. However, I think this becomes an advantage with kids old enough to do this; I think having the choice of whether or not to head in and work out makes them work much harder (and they almost always choose to go in and work out when given the opportunity). I imagine there are some that do, but I believe most don't. I certainly don't mind when my kids go to camps.

Actually, at Woodward, they have separate cabins and are assigned dorm parents when they're 7-9 years old, so while the older ones have more freedom, the younger ones do have a little more structure. My DD went when she was 9, but begged to be moved out of the younger cabin to be with her teammates.

[mom2kazkids]

Looks like DD and I are getting to go to Lake Owen this summer. I applied to the Mom and Dad to camp program and sent my DD registration contingent on me getting a position. I was doing online banking this am and noticed that the deposit check that I sent for DD's registration was cashed. Now just waiting to see what position I got. What I really wanted (camp RN) is being filled by returning moms, I could have gone a different week as nurse, but I want my DD to go when her coaches and team mates are there. So I will just anxiously await the mail.

Barb