We’ve had the best time at this year’s summer camp which took place from 9 to 13 August at Dumfries Ice Bowl and Lockerbie Manor. 55 campers and seven coaches took to the ice for a fun-filled five days of curling.
‘It has been great to have Summer Camp properly return to the ice for the first time since 2019,’ said delighted camp leader Catriona Morton. ‘We’ve had a fantastic week for both curlers and coaches alike, with many attending their first summer camp. The excitement to get back on the ice was clear from the arrival of the first curler and the passion and energy shown continued for the full week. Dumfries Ice Bowl has been a great host for our on-ice sessions and everyone has enjoyed the off-ice activities at Lockerbie Manor with the campers experiencing archery and high ropes climbing as well as some other great activities.’
Split into groups based on age and curling experience, the participants undertook on-ice as well as classroom sessions at the ice rink. ‘Over the course of the five days, campers developed their curling skills by focussing on delivery, sweeping, weight control, and communication. In the off-ice sessions they looked at the importance of communication, purposeful practice, and tactics,’ coach Scott Andrews recalled.
Alex McMillan (Airdrie) had previously attended last year’s camp, cut short to two days by covid, and was keen to gather more experience this time round. ‘The one-to-one time with professional coaches is amazing,’ she said. ‘It really helps to improve your skills and I’m enjoying it a lot.’ ‘It gives you a lot of confidence as well,’ added Dumfries local Katie Donald who attended the camp for the first time. ‘It’s great, improving your curling and the social aspect as well – it’s a good mix.’
Dumfries Curling and the Ice Bowl staff did a fantastic job at braving the summer heat and providing immaculate conditions. ‘Being back on the ice curling is great,’ said summer camp sophomore Arran Thomson (Perth). ‘I’m also enjoying getting to know other people in the group.’
Besides on-ice practice and curling coaching, group activities at Lockerbie Manor added a further aspect to the camp. ‘The off-ice sessions were excellent,’ Scott commended. ‘High ropes seemed to be a strong favourite among the camp! Other activities saw the groups use their initiative, develop team work and communication, and have fun as a large group.’
Archery, climbing, initiative games, and more provided not only fun challenges but also transferable skills. ‘What we do at Lockerbie is a lot about team work; team games are the specific thing that we’re working on,’ said Keir Chalmers (Perth) who attended the camp for the first time. ‘If you then take that, knowing people and working with them, and bring it to a curling environment, that’s really beneficial.’
‘Summer camp was a great success,’ Scott resumed. ‘It was great to see the progress made over the week. All the campers were fantastic and a pleasure to work with, it was great to see the enjoyment they all had.’
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