Jul
10
This portion of the trip I had no idea what to expect. I wasn’t sure if we were going to have any kids at all, but it never was cancelled, so I trusted God that he’d provide the kids for the camp. We had somewhere between 10-15 kids. Complete opposite from the 170 kids at Zanesville! I love that each clinic was unique. With this clinic, which such few numbers, the kids were able to get more one on one time with the coaches. No one wanted to do vault, so I was able to have some freedom to take more pictures and help Neil with the long jump.
The kids were fabulous! With such small numbers, we were able to get to know them a lot better. The clinic was held at Northwood University in Midland, MI. We stayed in the dorms there and had a lot of down time – more family time. I think the highlight for me from this trip was Saturday night. One of the moms invited us out to their house for a bonfire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows. I was in heaven, because they had three little kitties! Valerie, our host for the weekend, brought her little dog, Duke out, so there were animals running all around. Another family from the clinic came out as well, so we got to know some of the kids even better and had a blast hanging out with this family. Then the dad decided to take us out on a hayride. Basically, a little wagon attached to a tractor and took us through the woods. It was a blast! Little Hannah was squished inbetween all the big guys…hilarious! We got stuck once and we went over a bridges and I was wondering how the dang thing was able to support us. Luckily, no casualties!
Once again, on the last day, we had a track meet. This was definitely not your traditional track meet! We found out what events the kids wanted to run and came up with our own order of events. It was completely laid back and a lot of fun. We had another AIA 4×100 team and a few hodge-podge 4×100 teams. I actually ran an open 100. Then Neil was able to show the kids some sweet long jumps and busted out some triple jumps. Everyone wants all of us to come back next year, which I think is the hardest part about these trips. That’s a guarantee I can’t make, but it was fun to see such a desire to have something like this and the potential has barely been tapped up there.
I had so much fun and I am very thankful that you all were able to come out and help me with this camp. It was an awesome experience for not just me but the kids they are still talking about it till this day. Duke has gotten a lot bigger already. I hope that I will be able to see you guys soon, so keep in touch with me and dont be a stranger
and may God bless everybody in their endeavors