For 26 years, SGI has sponsored the Saskatchewan Curling Associations Prairieland Curling Camp, and this summer two students from Maidstone applied and were accepted into the program.
Kaelin Freyman, 13, and Jordyn Hope, 15, participated in the four-day event held at the Evergreen Centre in Nipawin from July 13 to 17. The association runs two camps consecutively each year in July with both camps accepting 96 curlers from across the province, ages 13-17. This year there was a waiting list of 35 curlers, so both the Maidstone girls were truly fortunate to be accepted for the exceptional experience.
The camp is intense and but fun with a lot of hard work. Once registered in the afternoon, the girls got into the activities quickly. Each day began at 9 a.m. and with activities running until 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. Camp activities consisted of on-ice sessions, recreational time, class time and meals. On ice sessions occurred up to three times in a day for an hour and a half each time. The first four on ice classes, for instance, consisted of learning body alignment and positioning in the hack to deliver the rock. The students slid for hours without ever touching their broom or a rock for a day and a half.
Following the last sessions each day after the supper meal, a special activity was planned. The first night, Scotties Tournament of Hearts winning skip Amber Holland presented a slide show on Team Saskatchewan's journey to the 2011 Ford Worlds Women's Championships. Holland talked about what it took for the team to win provincials, move on to the Scotties in Halifax and winning that to become Team Canada, and what their itinerary was like and their experience going to Esbjerg, Denmark for the World Championship.
She spoke to the curlers about their nutritional schedule (eating a snack of healthy foods every 20 minutes), and of their mental trainer who coached them on having a strong mental attitude and how to remain calm when the pressure was on.
Holland is the director of the Sask Curling Association and is the person who plans, directs and runs the camp. She is hands on, and was out on the ice at times with the different groups.
Other evenings at camp, the curlers were able to enjoy a dance and a mini fun-spiel, with two end games with modified rules.
The 96 students were split into six colour coded teams, with 16 kids on each team. All six teams showed incredible spirit, with healthy team rivalries and new chants and cheers written and performed with zeal. The groups compete for the Camp Spirit award, and at the closing banquet, team Purple came out on top and won the award.
Parents were able to watch any or all of the different sessions and classes all week, and were also able to take in the closing ceremonies and banquet. One of the young curlers on team Gold was even a bagpiper, and piped the curlers into the auditorium for the closing ceremonies - very traditional.
It was an exceptionally well run and organized camp and the team leaders were not only excellent and veteran curling coaches, they also had the energy and connection with the youth that is needed to be a summer camp councilor. Twelve group leaders and two recreational directors came from all over Saskatchewan.
One of the highlights of the camp was the chance for each curler to don the jacket of Amber Holland's or team Canada coach Merv Fronger's during an on ice session. The jackets, one white, one black and one red, were worn by Team Canada at World's in Denmark. It was exciting for the students to be able to curl wearing the uniforms of Team Canada and tracking down Amber or Merv afterwards for a photo opportunity.
When asked what she liked best about the camp, Jordyn replied, "Everything, I especially liked learning about the mental and nutritional prep work, and all of the tips from the coaches, and meeting new friends."
"I really enjoyed rec time, the mini bonspiel was so much fun," said Kaelin adding "The spirit wars between the colours and making up new cheers, and of course, meeting Amber Holland."
The Evergreen Centre houses six sheets of ice, wonderful risen indoor viewing area and a dining room/lounge overlooking the sheets. It is also home to Evergreen 18-hole golf course and the club house and proshop are under the same roof as well. It was an amazing facility and Nipawin in general was an awesome and gracious host, a beautiful gem of a town in this great province for the annual event. It was a great experience these young curlers will remember forever.
