One aspect of sports camps that is overlooked more often than not is the development of youngsters who are just starting to find their way into specific sports.
Red Deer College have developed several camps this year to fix that.
The ABC camp for youngsters six-eight years of age is new along with the Smart Sports camp for kids nine-12 and the All Sports camp for youngsters six-nine and 10-13.
The ABC camp, which runs July 3-6, will be used to build skills of younger athletes through the fun and enjoyment of movement and will develop a youngsters agility, balance and coordination.
“It allows a youngster to grow and develop skills and be confident in what they do,” said Barb Marsh, the program coordinator for Be Fit for Life and the Kevin Sirois Centre. “It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to have some fun while developing their abilities.”
The Smart Sports camp is the next step up from the ABC camp where young athletes can discover a mixture of sports and activities that foster team building and sportsmanship while still having fun.
It’s a chance for youngsters of that age to work on their strength, endurance and flexibility while also enjoying action-packed activities. The camp also runs from July 3-6.
That leads into the All Sport camp, which allows youngsters an opportunity to compete in a number of sports, both indoor and outdoor, including volleyball, basketball, beach volleyball, rugby, golf and squash to name a few.
“It gives kids a chance to see a number of different sports,” added Marsh. “They get a chance to try them all out and possibly ignite a passion for one or more.”
The All Sport camps run from July 9-13.
There are also five other camps in the RDC group, including Queens hockey, which returns this year and is for girls nine-12 and runs Aug. 20-24. The camp will be run by Queens head coach Trevor Keeper.
Volleyball, basketball and ringette camps are also available.
The basketball camp for youngsters aged 11-15 and 16-18 goes July 16-20 under the direction of Kings head coach and Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men’s coach of the year, Clayton Pottinger.
The volleyball camp, under RDC coaches Aaron Schulha and Talbot Walton, is divided into three levels.
The 11-15 and the 16-18 year-old girls are set for July 23-27 with the Kings 11-15 year-old group July 30-Aug, 3.
There will also be a Kings and Queens camp for 16-18 year-olds on Aug. 13-17 along with the elite players, who have competed on a senior high school senior team. There will also be a combination basketball and volleyball camp for 10-15 year-olds Aug. 7-10.
The ringette camp, under the direction of Chris Kelly and Brea Beck, has three groups — eight-nine year-old novice, 10-11 year-old petite and 12-15 year-old tween.
They all go Aug. 20-24. National team goaltender Keely Brown will also be making an appearance at the camp.
Outside of the RDC main coaches former Queens hockey coach Rob Weddell will also be involved, working with the ABC and Smart Sport camps. Anyone can register online at www.rdc.ab.ca/continuing_education, by calling 403-357-3663, by fax at 403-357-3660, by mail or in person.
Individuals must complete a Summer Camps waiver form, which is available on the website.
The form should be completed and signed ASAP prior to the camps, or accompany the athletes on their first day of the camp.
Applications can be mailed to Red Deer College Registration, Box 5005, 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB, T4N 5H5, or in personal to the registrar’s office.
“The response so far has been good for the young groups, but we’re struggling a bit with the upper end athletes,” said Marsh.