Author: Brian Kooperman

Today was a big day for Bridgton Sports Camp. BSL has officially commenced and with the implementation of new games and well balanced teams consisting of campers from each age division, we are ready for spirited competition. Lacrosse majors worked on their passing and defense. Basketball majors had their first live game this afternoon and the campers were thrilled. In both basketball and lacrosse the coaches gathered footage in order to review later and improve on technical skills. The hockey off ice training was very tiring consisting of sprints and a push-up challenge. The lake was glassy and the sun was shining down at the waterfront. The boys went tubing today and we are proud to say that not a single camper was able to hold on for the entire duration of the period. During choose up our minor coaches put together mini games and challenges to give the campers an opportunity to improve at their sport in a less intense environment than majors. We are expecting great weather for tomorrow and we will be continuing full steam ahead with majors and BSL.

Today was the second full day of camp and the majors are in full swing. We had a bit of rainy weather in the morning but this only impacted us for thirty minutes. After lunch the clouds broke and the sun was shining in Maine. In basketball the majors focused strictly on ball handling, passing and defense. The hockey majors did edge work and ran some speed skating drills. Out on the baseball diamond players worked on passing and agility. The day consisted of fundamentals in all of our majors and minors as we get the campers prepared to work on more advanced skills. In the afternoon a professional pickle ball coach visited Bridgton to teach our rookie campers the ins and outs of the sport. Pro and Senior divisions joined the demonstration following dinner. With counselors stationed around the campus we opened the fields gym and Wolverine Den for free time for the last hour of the day. The rain was a minor setback and will bring us a week of cooler temperatures and sunny skies. Tomorrow BSL begins and the campers couldn’t be more excited.

It is the first full day of camp and we could not have asked for more beautiful weather. The main focus today was introduction and organization. Hockey, baseball and lacrosse players took their equipment to their locker rooms and went over a few rules with veteran counselors. Each division rotated through several games such as cricket, dodgeball and kickball. In the afternoon the campers each took a water safety test down at the lake which provided a perfect opportunity for everyone to cool off after their busy morning. Following lunch the campers enjoyed a rest hour, finished unpacking and continued getting to know their roommates.

The campers were excited to receive their weekly schedules today that contain all of the activities they will be participating in this summer. After they got the chance to compare their different periods and ask questions we continued on with more activities. Our basketball counselors hosted a pickup game on the outdoor courts while the hockey counselors put together mini games at the street hockey rink. Down at the iconic Wolve’s Den campers played ping pong, cards and pool.

In the evening the campers participated in a skills combine in order to form the teams for one of our most anticipated daily events: Bridgton Sports League (BSL). During this league campers play ‘tennis-baseball,’ gaga, handball, ultimate frisbee and cricket. The teams are composed of campers from all age divisions. BSL exposes campers to different sporting events while introducing them to new friends and almost always creates spirited competition.

The last item on day one’s itinerary was teaching the campers about one of our most cherished traditions: line up. During lineup counselors summarize what took place throughout the day while shouting out campers who performed admirably in their sport or demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship.

The evening brought some much needed cooler temperatures and time for the campers to wind down. Day one is in the books and we couldn’t be more excited to jump into the regular schedule tomorrow.

I walked around camp this morning on the way up to the office. The facility is in amazing shape and the only problem is that it was too quiet. In a few hours that will change as campers arrive from all over the world to have an amazing 3 week experience at Bridgton Sports Camp. We have spent the past week at camp working with a talented and eager staff in preparation today. We are ready…..BRING ON THE CAMPERS!

I want to apologize for the lack of posts lately. The counselor who has been doing an amazing job all summer with the blogs (and who is a journalism major) had to be back at school early. I figured that after a long day on the fields and saying good night to the Rookie (our youngest) campers I would be able to come back to the office at 10pm and write the blog. It just didn’t happen. With 1 full day left in camp I want to tell you how proud I am of our entire camp community. Because of our staff and their hard work the campers are sprinting towards the finish line. Color War is happening which means all campers are giving it 100% in every activity. I love being out on the fields because you always hear loud cheers erupt as a camper scores the winning goal and propels his team to victory. Over the past few days in addition to skills competitions & games in soccer, basketball, baseball, lax & hockey we have also had a track meet, cook-off and jeopardy. Tomorrow we wrap things up with our Wacky Relay which involves the entire camp. I can’t believe camp ends tomorrow but am so grateful it happened!

Today was the last day of July, and it was a great one up here at BSC! Our last full Saturday of Session Two ended week two, which finished with a typical schedule during the day time.

Majors happened in the morning, after a breakfast of french toast and sausage. As we near the end of camp, the competition within major periods is growing as well. Basketball
featured plenty of competitive drills, from 2v1 to full 5v5. Lacrosse and soccers majors did the same, with campers learning how to attack the net from various positions on the field. Hockey held their two sessions per division as well, with morning session focusing on edge work and scrimmages taking up the afternoon. Lastly, baseball did not fully scrimmage, but held competitive fielding, running, and throwing drills.

The afternoon minor periods were also competitive, with games going on in everything from flag football to volleyball. There were of course, more relaxed activities too, such as driving golf balls at the local range or getting out to the waterfront.

Lastly, Saturday was movie night, with the campers staying up late before our Lazy Sunday to watch a few flicks. Goodburger and Space Jam 2 were two of our choices. As week 3 approaches, it’s hard to believe the summer is nearly over, but we’re making the most of our time left!

Wednesday marked the halfway point of Session Two at BSC, and we didn’t let the occasion pass quietly. We did, however, go through our standards majors in the morning. And the level of competition in those sessions continues to increase, with just about every major scrimmaging for portions of the period. Even baseball has started implementing some coach-pitch live scrimmaging into their routines. And in the afternoon, after an extended rest hour, we had a single minor period.

But it was after that when our day truly took off. It was Carnival Day! We rented inflatable playhouses, from your classic bouncy house to an obstacle course to a water slide. From 3 until the sun went down, we enjoyed ourselves on the fields. But it wasn’t just us. Our sister camp, Kent’s Hill, came over for a social, so campers got to mingle while enjoying the carnival.

To close the night, we are outside; a cookout dinner of burgers, dogs, and mac n’ cheese. And as the sunset, we gathered on the field for a private fireworks show, before saying goodnight to Kent’s Hill. An exciting day, to be sure!

We enjoyed our second Monday of camp today, July 26th. Fully into the swing of things by now, campers know what to expect from their daily schedules. The major sessions are particularly focused on consistency, and building off of the skills and work habits instilled during week one.

Basketball major continued with the individual skill work that comprised much of week one, including ball-handling and footwork. To end, there were some live action situations, including 3v3 and 5v5 half-court. Hockey major also kept things competitive and instructional, with edge work in the morning, but competitions in the afternoon such as shooting games. Soccer majors focused on live situations too, such as 3v2s and how to play through-balls, before ending with a scrimmage. On the diamond, baseball majors competed in the gauntlet, composed of different fielding stations, before ending with some hitting. Lastly, lacrosse majors focused on individual skill work with mini-competitions.

After a lunch of quesadillas and rest hour, campers once again headed back out for their minors. Intense games and individual competitions were held across sports like basketball and flag football. For choose-up, campers’ options were slightly more structured. A basketball clinic went on in the gym, the weight room was open to work out in, and the pro division continued their singles tennis tournament. All in all, a super active day at BSC!

Thursday #1 of Session Two was a typical day at Bridgton Sports Camp. The hottest day of camp so far, the sun was out nearly all day with the temperature in the high 70’s. Our campers and counselors, with the aid of sunscreen and full water bottles, enjoyed their day in the sun.

By the fourth day of majors, we’ve settled into the rhythm of those sessions, with teaching points becoming consistent. Hockey followed the same routine today, with edgework and some basic team concepts in the morning, followed by age-specific scrimmages in the afternoon. Basketball had another session of individual work transition into some competitive drills. Ball-handling and footwork were emphasized before playing 4-vs.4 with a focus on team defense. On the diamond, baseball majors focused on fielding, specifically from the infield positions. Then, the campers worked on fundamentals such as bunting and base-running. Lacrosse majors, meanwhile, worked on passing and advantage situations such as 3-vs.-2s, before the goalies faced shots. Finally, soccer majors worked on basic team concepts like scoring off through-balls, before ending with a scrimmage.

The afternoon was once again spent in minor sessions, with all campers who played basketball getting to use the indoor gym for the first time this summer. And for our snack period, we treated the campers to a treat, with an ice-cream truck stopping by campus. All-in-all, a busy day, which left campers hungry for a delicious dinner of steak, potatoes, and green beans. Hard to believe Week 1 is nearly in the books!

Our first Wednesday of Session Two was another classic day at Bridgton Sports Camp. It was spent in some classic Maine weather as well, with pockets of drizzles sprinkled around a sunny, humid day overall. Luckily, the rain didn’t disrupt any of the day’s periods.

We started with majors after a breakfast of waffles and sausage. After day three of our major sessions, the tone is set for the rest of our sessions, and so is our effort level. The hockey majors, divided by age group, each had two sessions on Wednesday. The first of which was spent sharpening their skating skills and some basic team concepts like passing. In the afternoon, the first scrimmages of the session were held, with campers translating their drill-work to live action. Basketball ran similarly, with campers continuing their 3-on-3 competitions after individual work. On the turf, Lacrosse and soccer majors were alike. After starting with individual drills, each major covered basic advantage situations, such as 2-vs-1s and 3-vs.-2s. Baseball started focusing on the offensive side of the ball, with some hitting off the tee after fielding drills.

The afternoon was once again spent in minor sessions. Some standout periods included an intense, down-to-the-wire flag football game, as well as some campers getting up on the wakeboard on the water. After a cookout dinner featuring franks, burgers, and watermelon, we had the inaugural night of BSL. Campers within all age groups competed in sports like ultimate frisbee, kickball, and handball, as the quest for championship glory kicked off.