Talk about an amazing week full aa fun and hard work! Keep kids Wrestling had partnered John Carroll and Beat the Streets (Cleveland Chapter) to put on an exceptional wrestling camp for young intercity wrestlers, both men and women. The goal for the camp as we were planning for this event was to have a exceptionally fun camp that kids enjoy being at, learn wrestling, and heard from role models in the community.
For a downloadable copy of the schedule click here:
The Camp had wrestling and lots of it. Just like another wrestling camp guests were brought in to teach moves. Kids got a chance to learn from our countries best wrestlers. They learned from national champions, runner ups, and placers. all while maintaining a relaxed and friendly environment. This was by no means an intensity camp but the intensity was there. The kids worked hard and played even harder.
After each wrestling secession the kids were treated to a whole host of activities. All of which have a teachable skill useful in wrestling. From reaction times and moral boosts the kids were exposed to a little bit of everything. Ironically this was the first camp we've been to that kids wanted to go to bed early. Some kids were excited for what tomorrow would bring some where excited to rest up from a exciting day. All kids were pleasantly exhausted by the end of the 4 days. There were a few parents impressed with how much energy we can get out of their kids before they go back home.
At one point the fire department was called and the building we were in was cleared. I'm not sure what the reason was but the kids got a chance to talk to some firemen unexpectedly. They enjoyed the down time to relax and chat.
The kids played Jelly Ball, had a chance to hear the Mayor of Cleveland talk, played camp games and much much more.
Our part in this camp was organizing the fun, specifically the arcade room. And let me tell you how awesome it was. First off there was 21 monitors with 21 gaming systems and at least 2 players for each controller. We had video game guitars, video game steering wheels, Arcade shooters, motion activated games like the Xbox kinetic and wii, retro consoles like Atari, Sega genisis, and a Playstation 1. We have new systems such as Xbox one and PS4. We had over 200 feet of black light hung up and a 3 staged photo booth, a DJ's table and over 100 games for the consoles. We brought more fun then we could put out and had to reserve some of of inventory for reserves. And its a good thing we did because there were a lot of problems to problem solve. The head coach even took time out of over seeing the camp to check out our arcade. and in his own words said he "had high expectations but [KKW] surpassed them."
We ended each night making sure all the kids were in their rooms. Bed time at 11 but we could hear giggling till the late hours of morning. We weren't strict as long as the kids stayed in their rooms but no one got to sleep in. Every morning bright and early we had breakfast and got to put in some work on the mats. It made for an interested dynamic as you could see a row of Zombies walking to breakfast.
At the end of the camp the kids received awards for their involvement in the camp. Every participant got a Beat the Streets Wrestling shirt. The takedown tournament winner received a few small clothing items. The most prestigious award, the MVP award, was donated by our company it consisted of a a Sly Fox wrestling bag filled with wrestling related items and Kyle Snyder Wrestling Shoes.
There were a lot of things that went right and a few things that could have went better. However, We are confident that our part of the camp was a over all benefit to the camp. The athletes even told us this was the most fun they have ever had at a wrestling camp. Many kids expressed a desire to come back before the camp was even over. We even helped coaches by using extra time to tackle problems they couldn't address in the moment like trash. Before our secession teaching injury prevention we were able to clean the entire gym of any loose trash saving the head coach a small head ache latter.
All and All not bad for our first step into University Level events. We are planning to make this at least a yearly collaboration between JCU, BTS and KKW.
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