What will my son/daughter learn when attending this camp?
The skills that your child will learn at this summer camp are endless. The camp staff is made up of College Head Coaches, College Assistant Coaches, Ski Academy coaches, and the counselors are all collegiate skiers. We feel that these are all people who have reached an important level of success as well as maturity, and everyone involved with Dryland Camp is excited to share what they have learned with each camper.
What type of activities do you do?
There will be an instructional session each day, focusing on skill sets that are important to build a competitive athlete, let alone a competitive ski racer. We take advantage of Stowe's natural attractions to make the exercises new and fun, and daily inline sessions allow us to simulate the skiing mechanisms the best we can without actual time on snow. The camp isn't all work, because all work and no play doesn't lead to the type of fun we are looking for to strengthen a bond between your children and this sport we all love. We will have daily swimming opportunities as well as hiking, mountain biking, games, and team building time, topped off at the end of the week with a cookout and relay races in our inflatable obstacle course.
What is a typical day at camp like?
Wake up and stretch starts off your day around 6:45-7:00. Three meals a day break up our activity periods (9-11:30, 2-4:30, 6-7:30), and there is plenty of down time to relax, let loose, or just spend time with new friends. Please click here for a sample daily schedule: Sample Daily Schedule
What coaches will my child work with?
The coaches vary from year to year depending on their busy schedules, but Camp Director Danny Noyes (Colby College Head Ski Coach) has already begun building his staff for this summer. In recent year's we have seen coaches from UNH, Dartmouth, St. Lawrence, Colby, Colby-Sawyer, Plymouth State, Boston College, Middlebury, Stratton Mountain School, Killington Mountain School, St. Michael's, and the US Ski Team.
How will attending this camp help my son/daughter?
This camp is intended to give your child a head start on their winter preparation. We do not set out to whip your child into shape, but rather teach them exercises and activities that are both fun and instructional with hopes that they will carry these lessons with them into the fall. We find that time spent with accomplished athletes and coaches will leave a lasting impression that will hopefully, have you coming back summer after summer. In the end, skiing is a sport we love, and we take this opportunity to share our passion with youth within and outside our region to hopefully introduce interest and desire that can encompass all sport, most of all skiing.
What training methods are used during this camp?
Dryland Camp will have your son or daughter running, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, skating, and laughing their way to faster times on snow as well as more complete race techniques. Our view on out-of-season training is that you have to take bits and pieces of every activity to provide the well-rounded athlete and racer. Here at Dryland Camp, we do that and more.
What should my son/daughter do to prepare for camp?
Nothing. Showing up with an enthusiasm and attitude that will allow them to try new things will result in a very good experience with our staff and prepare them to take what they learn home with them. We are set up to accommodate all ability levels in every activity that we partake in. A little time with their bike or inline skates will give your child added confidence, but any type of "training" certainly is not required.
If my son/daughter is a novice, should they attend this camp?
We feel that our camp reaches all abilities and what better way to begin "Camp Life" as a novice than in a camp with the positive outlook and structure that ours has.
Whom would you recommend this camp to?
While our camp is sport specific, the tools that we use in training will help your child in all aspects of sport. The basics of running, jumping, balance, agility, and overall fitness and athleticism will help the soccer players and basketball players as well as the skiers and baseball players. Even if your child has not identified with a particular sport yet, this camp will enable them with the tools to help them accomplish whatever they are looking to do.
