By Jessica Wind (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: July 17, 2013
Ultimate frisbee, touch football, and many more sports were the focus of UFV’s first multi-sport kids camp.
Over the summer UFV runs various kids camps for the community that get children active and interested in some of UFV’s programs – including the well-established Science Rocks! multi-week camp and a fashion design camp geared towards creative teens.
This year UFV athletics joined the list of available camps and got kids playing sports in a week-long program that ran from July 8-12. Campers became mini-Cascades; each was treated to a snack and take home t-shirt.
Game day coordinator Alicia Hurley described the inspiration for the camp.
“Our inspiration from the program came from wanting to provide a service to our community and an environment where kids could get a taste of top-level coaching and facilities right here in Abbotsford,” she said.
The camp was designed around UFV’s varsity ball sports: basketball, soccer and volleyball as well as rowing and swimming.
Throughout the week, top-level coaches from the department were present for coaching sessions tailored to the skill level of the campers. UFV’s athletes assisted the coaches, and kids were inspired to commit to healthy lifestyles. Athletic director Rocky Olfert delivered volleyball coaching sessions to the kids and former team Alberta field hockey coach and facilities instructor Cheryl Van Nes coached as well. Also present to coach were Alan Errington, coach of the men’s soccer squad, Al Tuchscherer, coach of the women’s basketball team and Liz Chisholm for rowing. Hurley provided the campers with a kids crossfit session.
“The kids were able to learn a lot of play a few sports they would not likely have access to. We believe the campers came away with a new or higher skill set in many of the ball sports,” Hurley said, adding that ultimate frisbee came away as the favourite.
Campers were also granted the opportunity to tour the home ice of the Abby Heat, which ended up being one of the highlights of the camp, Hurley noted.
“Hawkeye and the Heat staff gave them a full tour of the venue. They got to see the luxury boxes, concourse, and of course the amazing dressing room,” she said.
The camp was open to kids from grades 3-6 and was advertised locally through the community and schools. Hurley assured that they hope to expand the program.
“It is our hope that this camp can grow in the future to allow us to run a wide range of age groups within the multi-sport format as well as sport specific camps,” she said.
As well as expanding the program to make room for more campers, Hurley said that the success of the program would create more opportunities for UFV students to get involved in future summers.
