The Rhythmic Squad Development Camp was held at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, September 20th-25th, 2016. It was the second of three September development camps for the Rhythmic Program.
Thirty-three athletes born 2004-2007 were chosen to attend camp, based on their performances at the JO Championships, Open Championships, or by video submission. Training sessions focused on body and apparatus technique, ballet, and strength/conditioning. Participants also had the opportunity for a few sessions of individual coach and gymnast work to receive feedback on elements and composition.
The coaches and gymnasts were privileged to work with world-class staff, including 2-time Olympic Champion Evgeniya Kanaeva, Olympic Silver Medalist Adriana Dunavska, Galina Burns, Sonya Yankova, Amanda Scully, and Lana Lashoff. Each staff member stressed the importance of a strong base in clean body and apparatus technique, highlighting this objective throughout the week. Evening activity sessions included time for the girls to work on camp notebooks, reflect on the day, and bond with other athletes from around the country.
This Squad camp was not only a once in a life time opportunity for many of the gymnasts, but also an invaluable learning tool for the coaches! Camp staff have a passion for coach education and worked tirelessly give coaches as much knowledge and as many tools as possible to take back to their own programs. The dedicated and talented group of coaches at the Squad camp were eager to learn and could often be seen trying their hand at new apparatus elements and throws alongside the athletes.
The Elite Squad camp will take place September 25-30, finishing up the series of Rhythmic Program development camps this September.
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.