Summer 'camping' in the 501

25 May 2010 Summer ‘camping’ in the 501

Posted at 10:39 AMh in Health & Beauty by 501 LIFE

Many parents in the area utilize sports camps as a means to keep their kids active and busy during June, July and early August. We are fortunate in the 501 area to have a large selection of summer sports camps for young athletes.
Starting soon, there is a camp available at two of our area colleges during every week of the summer. For example, Hendrix

College kicks off the camping season with an after-school volleyball camp and continues the summer with a menu that includes rock wall climbing camps, swim camps/lessons, basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer camps. The University of Central Arkansas offers a variety of day and residential camps throughout the summer that include volleyball, soccer, basketball, football, softball and baseball.

The college-based sports camps have been growing every year and continue to serve as a way to keep many kids busy during their summer vacation. The camps are well-staffed and provide a positive experience for all ages and ability levels.
A newcomer to the youth sports camp arena is the F.A.S.T. (Functional Athletic Speed Training) Sports Performance Summer Training Program, which has several unique and interesting features.

This innovative program/camp is led by a team of physical therapists and athletic trainers that use their experience and knowledge to enhance the athlete’s skill base and educate the participants on training methods that can reduce the chance for injuries. As with many sports camps, the primary goal of the staff is to increase speed, muscular strength, explosive power, foot speed, balance and agility for all of the athletes that attend the camp.

The upcoming summer session will mark the third year for the F.A.S.T. program that has attracted young athletes from Conway, Vilonia, Mayflower, Greenbrier and as far away as Hector (Pope County). The staff has worked with athletes from a variety of sports, including volleyball, baseball, football, basketball, track, cross-country, wrestling, softball and dance/cheer squads.

This summer, in addition to their regular camps, the F.A.S.T. program will broaden its menu and will offer several sessions that will be specific to football and baseball players. These particular camps will meet twice per week and focus on skill-specific conditioning and injury prevention segments that will reduce the risk for injuries to the athletes.

Another unique aspect to this camp is the business relationship that has developed since the camp’s inception back in 2008. Mo Skelton, a physical therapist and founder of the F.A.S.T. Sports Performance Program, was in need of a facility in which to host the camp. After several onsite visits to the Wellness and Athletics Center at Hendrix College, an agreement was soon developed so that the camp could utilize the WAC. The relationship has blossomed into a “win-win-win” scenario for Conway Regional Sports Medicine, Hendrix College and the community.

Many types of summer sports camps are available for young athletes in the 501 area. So how do you choose the best camp for your child? Before investing into a particular sports camp, be sure to ask a few questions, such as the intent or purpose of the camp. Is the camp a casual “fun” camp, or is it designed for the hardcore athlete? What is the staff-to-camper ratio?

Asking friends or acquaintances about some of their camp experiences may also prove to be beneficial.

It pays to be a good camp shopper.

SPORTS CAMPS

F.A.S.T. Camp Mo Skelton
[email protected] 269.4041

Hendrix College
Volleyball Mary Ann Schlientz
[email protected] 450.4576

Boys basketball Dan Priest
[email protected] 450.4570

Girls basketball Thad McCracken
[email protected] 450.1278

Softball Amy Weaver
[email protected] 450.3899

Soccer Doug Mello
[email protected] 450.3818

Swimming Jim Kelly
[email protected] 450.1311

University of Central Arkansas
Girls soccer Tina Banham
[email protected]

Boys soccer Chad Flanders
[email protected] 328.0279

Volleyball Steven McRoberts
[email protected] 450.3154