The inaugural Young Squad Camp took place at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, September 17-21, 2016. Sixteen talented gymnasts born 2007-2009 were invited to attend this selective camp, based on their abilities and performances at the Open Championships last May.
The Young Squad staff included 2-time Olympic Champion Evgeniya Kanaeva, Galina Burns, Sonya Yankova, Amanda Scully, and Lana Lashoff. Focus of the camp was on the base with training in body and apparatus technique, strength and flexibility, and ballet. The young athletes had a great time learning from the best and making new friends from around the country.
A main goal of the squad camps is coach education. Coaches were provided with creative tools and fun ideas to develop a strong body and apparatus technique with their young athletes. Coach participation is an integral part of camp and all squad camps are open for coaches from any club to attend and learn.
Interested in attending a USA Gymnastics camp with your athletes? Look for the 2016 Open Camp Information to be released soon! The 2016 Open Camp will be held December 15-19 at the National Team Training Center in Houston, TX.
Video from the Young Squad camp, as well as the subsequent Squad and Youth Elite Squad Camps will be made available for purchase through the USA Gymnastics website in the coming months.