“It’s time for ice skating/ice hockey!” Squeals of delight and cheers of excitement are heard throughout camp when the time comes to put on hats and gloves. Each week, the campers get a reprieve from the hot outdoor temperatures as they cool down with friends and counselors. As they glide on the fresh ice that the Zamboni leaves glistening for them, they can’t help but smile.
There are three wonderful benefits of Ice Skating:
Physical Benefits: If you’ve lived your life only on flat shoes, you should give ice skates a try. Skating helps you strengthen your core, lower back, and leg muscles to keep your balance on the ice. From a cardiovascular point, ice skating is one of the best aerobic activities and the campers don’t even realize they are getting exercise because of all the fun being had.
Self-Confidence: When a camper is scared to go on the ice, it isn’t only because of fear. The camper may show signs that s/he is afraid of what other campers may think. The campers skate alongside their counselors to help alleviate this fear. They also may use walkers to guide them. Once a camper is feeling more confident, it is evident when they say “no, thank you” to a counselor offering help. Instead of asking for help, they ask to be watched and photographed while skating on their own. Campers who already know the skating basics feel a constant burst of pride as they learn to skate backwards, do spins, or glide with one foot raised. It is remarkable to witness campers’ self-esteem flourish as they learn more of these amazing skills. Twice a week, they have the opportunity to shine as they skate their way up in instruction levels. We love watching them then offer help to other campers who may still be “afraid.”
Achdus and Ruach: Age and bunk don’t seem to matter as all of the campers are mixed based on instruction level. New friendships are made as they skate with one another. As the music plays through the speakers, the campers join in the center of the ice to D-A-N-C-E! The Girls Camp dances on their ice skates to the dances they learned in Zumba! Young campers with the older campers, the achdus is beautiful as they all dance and skate together.
The Boys Camp, all geared up in helmets, knee and elbow pads, play ice hockey; the younger boys are mesmerized by the older boys’ abilities. The older boys cheer on the younger boys as they score goals!
While the Girls Camp figure skates and the boys camp plays ice hockey, our youngest division of preschoolers also have the opportunity to skate. They skate with the help of the Girls Camp’s oldest division, the CITs. Once the smallest skates are laced up, they make their way to the smooth ice. Their faces beam with the brightest smiles as they know they really are B-I-G kids and not just because they’re a little taller with skates on!
Once Skating is over and shoes are back on, the kids of Camp 613 look back on the ice and can’t wait for the next time to return. They make their way to their next exciting sports activities outside in the shining sun! We are thrilled that the campers have the opportunity to experience so many unique sports at Camp 613!
By Tova Knecht & Tamar Sheffey
