Well, the Centre of Excellence Summer Camp has come and gone in Carlyle and with it, fundamentals were developed, skills were built upon and techniques were tweaked.
From Aug 2 to 4, 19 boys and girls took part in the camp ranging from seven to 13 years of age. The camp, instructed by Dan Kasperski, included activities such as baseball and softball skills in the morning, followed by swimming, flag football and ultimate Frisbee in the afternoon.
Kasperski, from Vibank, is a world-class athlete and coach who has the desire to impact youth in a positive way through sport. "I was given opportunities to be successful in multiple sports as a child. Encouragement from parents/community/friends gave me the necessary start to a great experience in sport." As a result, he developed summer camps that work in collaboration with cities, leagues, associations, instructors and companies. Kasperski is a former international pro athlete in both baseball and hockey. It is this uniqueness that has provided him the skills and knowledge required to provide multi-sport training to youth.
Kasperski feels that multi-sport training is important for the development of youth as athletes. "Camps are multi-sport to teach kids physical literacy (run, jump, throw, catch, hit). Physical literacy skills are the building blocks for an "athlete" to be able to be successful in all sports. Kids should be able to play a variety of sports and find out what suits them best" said Kasperski.
"Sport is fun and the camps try to provide the kids with opportunities to try new sports they may never have played as well as show them how sports use similar techniques and skills to play the games. A main goal of the camp is to get the kids to understand how to work, train and play smarter, not always harder! The camp definition of insanity is doing a technique or skill repeatedly (with poor results) and expecting a different outcome!"
In terms of how the camps have been received, the smiles on the faces of the youth participating are strong indicators. "The camps have been well received, especially [in] Saskatchewan. Families are starting to understand that they can develop their own athletes locally and as a community, if they are shown how. Imagine not having to travel and pay high costs for training or camps as well as the added bonus of mentored local help with instruction and coaching. Success for me is seeing kids play sports and have fun. The numbers will grow if the kids have fun!"
As for whether the camp will be offered in Carlyle next year, the discussions have already begun. Kasperski said "I am in discussion with Carlyle sport leaders to bring new programs to Carlyle this fall and winter 2011. Pre and in-season hockey skills, off-ice conditioning for all athletes, power skating and off-season baseball and softball skills are just a few of the programs. We are discussing Carlyle as the home base to invite local and neighbouring town families to the programs. Discussions that will help turn Carlyle into a Center of Sport Excellence in that area of the province."
