Author: Brian Kooperman

After two cold and damp days we had sunshine with a nice breeze. The weather was perfect for all land sports. Twelve and under soccer players left camp after breakfast. They made it to the finals and lost in the final minutes of the game. Coach was very proud of their game play and good sportsmanship.

Baseball majors were having their throwing speed recorded. Lax guys were working on shooting on goal. Hockey had four stations each with a different drill. Basketball also had four stations of drills. Everyone worked hard at their majors this morning. All coaches are seeing an improvement in the two short weeks since camp has started.

I saw a good street hockey game and some well played tennis. Weight training was in the gym and on the fields for sprints.This afternoon for choose up we had the first ever gaga tournament. The winner will get a trophy and a trip into town for ice cream. At line up we heard quite a few shout outs. We has multiple camper get up on skis for the first time and the fish were biting. They must like our new worms.

After dinner we had a van go out with 15 campers to play a round of golf. Busy day here at camp, and I know everyone will sleep well tonight.

Mariano our soccer coach has been kind enough to contribute to this blog……

“Time flies when you are having fun! Two weeks of pure soccer. It has been a wonderful summer so far for soccer minors and majors. I would only wish I could coach this group of boys for the entire summer. From the basics to the most advance concepts of soccer, the campers had a chance to show me their love for the sport and desire to improve their skills. From possession-based small sided games to challenging shooting and finishing drills, the boys were great at finding the perfect balance between a serious soccer workout and just plain fun.

Throughout these weeks, the scrimmages at the end of every practice were the highlights of the day, either among campers or against skillful counselors, campers had a blast simply playing the most beautiful game in the world. The scrimmages were not only a reward after a practice day filled with hard work and challenges, but mainly an excuse to capture and enjoy the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that characterizes the ideals of Bridgton Sports Camp.”

This Lazy Bones Sunday was the perfect morning for a sleep in. Cold and misty weather didn’t stop some rookies from playing gaga at 8:30. Due to weather most activities were in doors with the exception of some guys that couldn’t stay off the soccer field.

Lazer Tag was our big event, but no worries…… The company set up in the gym, lowered the lights, and the boys loaded with lazer ammunition used their strategy to out maneuver the opposing team. Each age group had their own period at lazer tag.

Some campers opted to watch the Euro finals. Rookies have a period of bingo with Koop. Last period will be a free skate.

I would like to back up to July 7th., if I may. Parents be proud of how hard the boys play in all the tournaments in and out of camp. I did mention the 15 and under campers went out of camp for street hockey. They were victorious in a close game. The lax game we won, but lost the flag football.

While many of you are in a heat wave…. here at BSC we all have on sweats. Koop ordered NO sun and cool weather for hockey majors. They had “Dry Land Drills” this morning. This happens only once during the session. Which might be one too many times for these guys. They work really hard.

The 15 and under campers went out of camp this morning for an inner camp basketball tournament. They made it to the semi finals.
Tonight all the high rollers from casino night were given prizes. The rookies were invited to Koop’s house for a movie, and pros & seniors are headed to Humanities to watch theirs. The winners of room inspection went into town for ice cream.

Everyone is HAPPY!!!

Very strange to be in camp all day without the campers. At 6:30 this morning the seniors left for the white water rafting trip. At 10 the bus pulled out with the rookies and pro’s for FunTown / SplashTown. The CIT’s left for Boston a little later.
Just got word the seniors are back in camp. The rafting was AWESOME. The boys loved the “magic Falls.” They said it was a five foot drop. They stop half way and have their lunch prepared on an open fire. Sounds like the steak won over chicken or veggie burgers. Nice that they are all back safe and sound.
Tomorrow is another big day. We have Lazer Tag here against another camp.

From time to time the coaches will help me out with the blog. Coach Verrill was kind enough to send me an update that I would like to share:

Bridgton Sports Camp
Baseball Update

The baseball portion of Bridgton Sports Camp is off and running with our guys getting daily workouts to improve their game and help them get to the next level of play. To date we have had each baseball camper fill out a goals sheet and we have discussed their individual goals and how best to achieve them. We have also put together a Baseball Student – Athlete Profile on each player which will help them to promote themselves in the future. This profile will have baseball measurements that will give them an idea where they are at as a baseball player. Certain running times and velocity times are recorded as well as position play. Each player can fill out area’s such as academic accomplishments, athletic accomplishments, schools attended and their respective coaches contact information.

To date we have had workouts covering base running and leads, pitching form and grips, hitting fundamentals, outfield and infield defense and catching fundamentals. Drills are taught and the player’s have been asked to do these as often as possible to enhance their respective games. They are their own best CEO’s in regards to their game and they need to put in the work on their own to get better. We have a throwing program in place that we do on a daily basis and have given them a good foundation to improve in this area of the game. Throwing the ball has to be a top priority for every player and must be mastered to move up the ladder in baseball.

Our competitive drills and games we play each day such as Home Run Derby, Fly Ball and Ground Ball Knock-Out and competitive running drills helps them to compete and strive to be succussefull.

I’m really enjoying my work with the boys and our baseball staff is doing a fantastic job every day to help your son’s improve their game as well as teach them to be better young men.

Coach Verrill

This Morning our 15 and under boys went to another camp for street hockey. They came back singing and cheering. That’s a sure sign that we won. The score was 3-2. This afternoon we our hosting a lax game as well as a flag football game. I’m sure that’s where most of the campers will be….. cheering the boys to victory.

As they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I hope you like the pics from CASINO NIGHT.

The weather is warming up. The place to be was on the ice or down at the lake.

Big happening up on the ice this morning. J P Dumont was here skating with our hockey majors. He did drills with them, and was kind enough to answer questions at the end of period. If you don’t follow hockey I will give you a little info. Jean-Pierrre was drafted 3rd overall in the 96 NHL draft for the Islanders. He played for the Blackhawks, Sabres, & Preditors.

The 15 and under boys left camp for a dodgeball game. We won in a tiebreaker. Eleven and under hosted another camp for a basketball game. The boys played hard and had some amazing baskets, but we couldn’t stop the other camp from outscoring us in the end.

Tonight the Wolverine Den will be transformed into the Monte Carlo of Bridgton. It’s Casino Night!!!!! Rumor has it there will be a camel race. Campers will make a wager. Camel names/odds….
Sensitive Fury – 4 to 1
Weeping Oaks – 3 to 1
The Peoples Elbow- 6 to 1
Last but not least, Pursuit of Happiness- 14 to 1
Blackjack, roulette, craps, and high rollers go upstairs for poker.
Stay tuned for the pictures tomorrow.

Another Taco Tuesday

Beautiful weather and a lot happening here at camp. I decided to spend a period this morning on the lake. We had some knee boarders and a few wake boarders. Fishing??? Whenever I’m around they don’t seem to bite. As soon as I leave campers are catching them left and right.

We had two groups of campers leave today. Eleven and under went to a kickball tournament. We got all the way to the semi finals. Fifteen and under went to a hockey tournament. We went all the way to the finals. The thirteen and under boys hosted a basketball game here. A lot of campers skipped their activities to watch the game. The gym was rocking and we won!!!

Tonight the C.I.T.’s went into town for pizza.

NEWS FLASH….the seniors are having a skating social tonight. At the moment they are getting themselves all spruced up.

Happy 4th of July Parents! At seven this morning the campers that signed up for the four mile run through Bridgton were in the van. This year we had a runner come in 6th. Very proud of him!!! A lot of patriotic campers were wearing red, white & blue today. I saw some great outfits right down to socks.
Busy day…. we had two groups leave camp. One group went out for street hockey and we hosted another camp for 15 and baseball. The 11 and under soccer players went to another camp as well.. Patiently sitting here waiting for some scores.

At hockey, Coach said he will email me the drills that he has the majors doing. Now hockey parents will know exactly what’s happening on the ice.

The much anticipated “Lazy Bones Sunday” has arrived. There are rules. Campers may not leave their rooms till 8 am. They must leave quietly trying not to disturb anyone still sleeping especially their counselors! They can play tennis, gaga, basketball etc. The dinning hall opens at nine and closes at 10:00. A true lazy camper/counselor can sleep till 10 and just appear at the line up. Campers have the option of cold cereal, yogurt and assorted fruits, bagels, and toast. The perk on Sunday…… Koop has a huge assortment of dunkin donuts. LIMIT TWO PER CAMPER.

The morning is free play. Campers really enjoy the loose structure after a long hard week at their majors and minors. Three buses pulled in promptly at three. Campers all wearing their “Bridgton Blues” boarded the busses for a pizza picnic and off to the Sea Dogs game. After the game there is an amazing display of fireworks. I’m sure you will get all the details tomorrow evening when you receive the long awaited phone call.