International Sports Training Camp (ISTC) runs like a city. Within our private 500-acre property, we have several departments working simultaneously to give campers the best possible experience. Waterfront, ropes course, mountain biking, and team sports stand out as our signatures, but like a city, there are several smaller elements that influence the feel and culture. This month’s blog will dive into activities beyond the field that truly add to the ISTC experience.
Cabin-of-the-Week
Outside of the three structured sports sessions each day, campers partake in our cabin-of-the-week programming. Cabin-of-the-week focuses on daily competitions that bring the entire camp together. Campers earn points towards the overall title by placing in events like eating contests, relays, skits, and more. Each week has a distinct theme that changes the costumes and events, so no two weeks are alike.
The traditional camp elements of making cheers, dressing up as a cabin, and working towards a common goal are perfect for creating memories and building friendships. Not to mention, cabin-of-the-week houses campfire s’mores and the weekly dance – two more awesome social opportunities. Beyond the fields, cabin-of-the-week adds spark to our camp programs and brings everyone together in a healthy way.
Weekend Events
Cabin-of-the-week and our structured sports programming conclude Friday morning; however, the weekends include a few exclusive activities that have become a genuinely fun part of the ISTC experience. On top of having free choice time to revisit favorite spots like the lake and canteen, Friday’s highlight has become the silent disco. Instead of music playing over speakers, campers get their own pair of headphones that glow based on what they are listening to. We find that campers sing and dance more freely when they think no one can hear them, so the silent disco quickly becomes a party.
Saturdays allow our staff to share their interests and skills with our campers. During camper’s choice sessions this past summer, we put on Pilates workouts, nature walks, and cooking classes to name a few things. Each year, we bring in staff from England, Australia, and New Zealand who are passionate about sports. We encourage them to showcase their interests, as they are a major part of the ISTC atmosphere. The staff help campers broaden perspectives, discover new interests, and set the tone for the camp experience.
Sports will always lay the foundation for our programs, but it’s the time off the field that allows our staff and campers to flourish.