Teaching life skills through sports is at the heart of the ISTC experience. Whether campers are competitive athletes or passionate about other hobbies, all campers find common ground during their time at camp through play. Regardless of athletic experience at home, all campers partake in team sports, adventure activities, and cabin-of-the-week competitions. This month’s blog will dive into the nature of play at ISTC and the impact we hope it has on our campers.
Although “training” is in our name, our main programs are not purely focused on athletic development but are recreation based. Sports at ISTC are any outdoor activity, which includes jet skiing, banana boating, rock climbing, and mountain biking. These adventure sports do not have a competitive end goal, but rather, are mediums to inspire personal growth. Instead of seeing which campers can climb the quickest, the rock climbing session encourages campers to tackle a challenge and support others as they take on the elements. Removing competitive pressure allows campers to explore without fear of losing and further, creates an environment rooted in building others up instead of tearing them down.
All adventure activities and team sports are led by our coaching staffing in three structured sessions each day; however, we also offer recreation or open play time for campers as well. Each of these times begins with a cabin-of-the-week competition, which are events, relays, and other contests focused on bringing cabins together. After the event, open play begins – meaning all signature activities are available to enjoy. Campers can choose between waterfront, ropes course, biking, basketball, soccer, archery, and so much more. Ultimately, the goal is to give campers opportunity to explore what interests them most, whether it is revisiting an activity that took place earlier in the week or trying something that has them excited. Giving campers agency to choose lets them build confidence in making decisions, especially as our staff are out and about during recreation times to push campers in a fun direction.
With both structured and free choice play daily, the ISTC experience is a week long series of play sessions at its core. As campers play by swimming, cheering, running, climbing, and biking in a supported environment, we strive to foster friendships, sportsmanship, and a sense of belonging that campers can take back to their lives outside of camp.
