Author: Brian Kooperman

It has been an amazing weekend here at Bridgton Sports Camp! Saturday started with regular majors. In soccer the campers worked on transition defense as well as one on one and two on two game scenarios. Basketball majors worked on integrating camp offense into several competition drills. On the ice hockey players ran through shooting stations and worked on tipping the puck. During lacrosse the boys practiced pass-up pick-up situations. Lastly in baseball the boys did a bases relay and played a game of wiffleball. Saturday afternoon consisted of a free skate, a slip n slide, and a free swim. Each of the three rotations rotated through these activities. Sunday is always special because we let the boys sleep in and provide Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. We call this day lazy bones sunday. Not only is Sunday special because of the donuts but it is also the day the campers get their phones back to contact their families and friends. In the afternoon the campers loaded into buses and traveled to Kents Hill for their once-a-summer social event. Kents Hill is BSC’s sister camp and it is always a great experience to watch all of the campers interact and form friendships. The coming week is looking a bit cooler than last week which is much needed to maintain energy and intensity into the late afternoon. Tomorrow we will jump right back into our regular schedule. Go BSC!

It was a great day at BSC. In the morning majors took place as usual. Baseball played a game of ‘the Gauntlet.’ In basketball the boys reviewed more film before going live in a scrimmage. On the ice our hockey majors had a guest coach teaching a power skating workshop. During soccer major the boys ran through some combination drills. Lacrosse players continued practicing their stick skills and then played a series of mini games such as ‘ultimate frisbee lacrosse.’ As the day continued the staggering temperatures set back in. At lunch we put together a rock paper scissors tournament with a very special prize. When a camper from the rookie division defeated the pro division leader we announced that the boys would be going into downtown Bridgton to watch a movie at the theater. The rookies watched “Paws of Fury” while the pros and seniors watched “Thor Love and Thunder.” It was a great way to switch up the afternoon while letting the boys cool off in the theater. After the movies we had free play in the gym, on the fields, and at the outdoor courts. Every week the campers look forward to Pizza Friday and it was an excellent way to end a special day. With a round of BSL following dinner the boys got plenty of athletics and entertainment in their schedule today. Go BSC!

It was an exciting day at Bridgton Sports Camp! In the morning majors took place as usual and ran smoothly. In each of the majors the campers are continuing to focus on the basics of offense and defense before transitioning into live games early next week. With highs of ninety degrees in the morning and an afternoon full of scattered thunderstorms it is safe to say the weather was very chaotic today in Bridgton. Despite the obstacles presented by the rain we put together several activities to keep the campers engaged and active in the afternoon. The first activity was a free skate out on the ice rink. The hockey players get plenty of ice time but it is always fun to watch all of the campers get to try out the rink. The second activity was an escape room in the Humanities Center. The campers were put in various groups and given a series of puzzles that grew increasingly more challenging. The first group to finish the puzzles received a candy prize. Naturally, this incentive created fierce competition. Our third activity was a free swim down at the waterfront. We were able to get each division down to the lake for an hour despite the hectic weather. A cool off period down at the lake was much needed after the tremendously hot temperatures over the last few days. Tomorrow majors will continue and we aren’t expecting any weather complications. Go BSC!

It was an amazing day at Bridgton Sports Camp. Despite the staggeringly hot temperatures the majors ran smoothly with a huge step up in both intensity and effort from the campers all across the board. Soccer players prioritized defensive drills which can be difficult for primarily offensive players however all of the boys stayed focused and pushed themselves. In basketball the campers started with ball handling and passing drills before pivoting to offensive drills. On the ice hockey majors began with edgework and continued to compete in a scrimmage in the afternoon. During lacrosse the boys did position drills focusing on timing and creating space. Lastly the baseball majors practiced leading off the base and played a round of ‘The Gauntlet.’ For choose up today several counselors hosted various clinics that had been requested by campers. There was a spikeball tournament, a golf shooting range, a knockout game in basketball and of course a much needed free swim. After dinner the campers continued familiarizing themselves with the BSL games as well as their teams. It is safe to say the boys are adjusted to the regular daily schedule here at camp and we are very excited to keep pushing. Go BSC!

It was a fantastic day at Bridgton Sports Camp! The majors are in full swing and the weather was beautiful. In soccer the campers started by working on their dribbling technique and continued with a one on one defensive drill. Out on the ice the boys competed in a four on four activation game and exhibited great puck control. The baseball majors did a line drive drill and later in the day played in a scrimmage. Lacrosse players are focusing on stick skills as well as one on one ground ball drills. In basketball the campers reviewed film before working on ball handling, passing, and defense. For dinner we had a BSC classic: Taco Tuesday. After dinner the campers played in their first BSL games. The boys are getting to know their teams and it is clear that the competition is going to be exciting. Campers and counselors are equally excited for another beautiful day tomorrow. Go BSC!

Today was the first full day at BSC and the campers are already making themselves at home. Our focus for the first few days of camp is getting everyone informed and comfortable with camp procedures as well as the daily schedule. We pack a lot of information in and so far the boys have been outstanding listeners. In the morning we had the hockey and lacrosse players set up their locker room and go over rules with the coaches. Our basketball, baseball and soccer majors also debriefed with their coaches about what is expected of them over the next three weeks. After today the campers will be familiarized with the equipment, fields, courts, coaches and counselors. Majors will start full speed tomorrow. We had a bit of rain in the afternoon but thankfully we were able to get the campers through their swim test before the bad weather set in. Following the swim tests the campers received their daily schedule and went into greater detail regarding their individual daily schedules. Here at BSC we have a special competition called Bridgton Sports League (BSL) where we organize various games for the campers to participate in. Some of the games the campers compete in are: cricket, handball, ultimate frisbee and kickball. BSL is a great way to introduce the campers to different games while mixing the age groups together resulting in a fun and fierce competition. Today the boys showcased their skills in the BSL combine allowing the commissioner to make fair and balanced teams. We expect BSL to begin tomorrow. In the evening the campers cleaned up and showered before heading to their first movie night. Tomorrow the weather will be sunny so we will run a fully normal schedule. Sunscreen, water and go BSC!

It is day one of session two! The bags are unpacked, the beds are made and the boys are ready for an awesome three weeks. After the buses arrived the campers met at lineup for the first time to go over some procedures before heading to dinner. After dinner each division played different field games such as handball, kickball, dodgeball and soccer. We wrapped up the first day by meeting with each division to go over rules more specifically for each age division. Day one is in the books and we could not be more excited for the following three weeks. Go BSC!

It was a sentimental and sensational last day at BSC. In the morning the BSL championship took place. The Bowdoin Polar Bears came out victorious for our rookie division. In the pro/ senior division the Colorado Buffalos took home the trophy after an intense game of handball that ended in a penalty shootout. After BSL the boys got signed up for the Whacked Up Relay. This lengthy relay race is the last and most important even of color war. With more than twenty stations all of the campers participate in at least one leg of the race. With events ranging from a three point contest to a bed making race the Whacked Up Relay is equal parts humbling and hilarious. After over an hour of competition one team came out with the win. Congratulations to the Avalanche for successful athleticism and sportsmanship. While only one team could win both teams fought hard all the way to the end. After the celebration the campers finished packing and got ready for the final dinner. Dressed to the nines the boys enjoyed chicken parmesan and garlic bread. Session one could not conclude without the final campfire. During this campfire the counselors and campers share special memories and celebrate their success over the last three weeks. The celebration includes a slideshow of the best photos from the session, a raffle of BSC merchandise and a special BSC tradition. As was previously mentioned in the early days of camp the boys write their goals for camp on small pieces of wood. At the closing fire the campers toss their piece of wood into the fire as a moment of conclusion for their time here in Bridgton. The ashes from the last fire are used to ignite the first campfire of the next summer. Session one is in the books and we couldn’t be more grateful for the effort, kindness and dedication all of the campers showed these last three weeks. A huge thank you to the campers, counselors and families. It has been a privilege and we hope to see everyone back at BSC next summer.

Day two of color war is officially in the books. It has been a great competition so far. In our hockey major the rookies competed in a game which the warriors won. The pro/senior divisions also played a game which the Avs won. Both games were full of athleticism and sportsmanship. A player in the pro/senior game had a huge hat trick. In the afternoon we had a cook off, a game of jeopardy and a track and field competition. In the cook off campers are given mandatory ingredients and a variety of optional ingredients to create a delicious dish for our prestigious panel of judges. Today the highlights were: a cheese pizza topped with Slim Jim’s and the cookie colossal. Overall the warriors dominated the cookoff. During the jeopardy games campers answer trivia questions that span from sports trivia to geography facts. Overall the Avs won the competition but we have a special shout-out for a rookie on the Warriors team who answered the majority of the questions for his entire team. In the track and field contest campers participated in various speed and endurance races as well as throwing distance contests. Track and Field was won overall by the Warriors. As it stands right now the Avs are up by a narrow margin of 20 points. It is anyone’s game. In the evening the BSL semi finals took place. Tomorrow both BSL and Color War will conclude. The campers and counselors are getting sentimental about camp ending but we couldn’t be happier with how things are wrapping up.

Today was an outstanding day at BSC. It is day two of color war and the competition is intense. Points are awarded for all athletic events from mini games to majors. Points are also distributed for sportsmanship and kindness which can be demonstrated anywhere on campus. In soccer the boys played a scrimmage which the Warriors won. During basketball there was a three point shootout followed up by ball handling drills which the Avalanche won. In baseball there were relay drills and a round of ‘the gauntlet’ which the Avs also won. Our lacrosse majors did a shootout and played a game of horse where they spelled out the word lacrosse. Out on the ice the hockey majors competed in target shooting and other mini competitions. The scores from hockey and lacrosse are still being determined. In the afternoon all age divisions rotated through cricket, kickball, ultimate, handball, basketball and soccer. After dinner the campers had free play before going up to the dining hall for ice cream sundae night. Once a session we bring the boys up and give them the choice of many kinds of ice cream and toppings. Sundae night is a great way to reward the campers for the hard work and focus that they have displayed for the previous two weeks. Tomorrow is day three of color war and we are stoked to watch the competition continue.