Camp Gladiator 2009

| 2 Comments | No TrackBacks

The boys were both eager to participate in a new camp called Camp Gladiator this summer. It was run by Ally and Jeff Davidson, who both were contenders on Season 2 of American Gladiator, with Ally going on to the end to win the female gladiator title. The camp, I'm happy to report, was outstanding. The boys had a blast each and every day and they couldn't wait to tell me about what they did at camp, and at the end of it all they really look forward to doing it again next year. If that isn't an indication of the greatness of the camp, I don't know what is!

Gladiator09b.jpgThe camp was divided into two tribes, red and blue. Our boys were both on the blue tribe but in different clans. Each day the kids were presented with fun but challenging activities, and they were cheered on by some of the most enthusiastic counselors I've ever seen. Kudos to the wild and crazy counselors -- I think they are what really made the camp outstanding -- they made sure each and every kid had fun and they were great role models. Sportsmanship and adventure were the main goals of the camp.

Throughout the week, each team earned points to see who would get a head start during the final Eliminator challenge. Two of the points challenges on the final day included pulling a 7,000-pound Army truck a certain distance and playing tug-of-war against the other team.

Pulling the truckDuring the Eliminator the two teams, who were neck and neck in the points, had to race to the finish through obstacle after obstacle.

Gladiator09a.jpg

Obstacles included a slippery waterslide, a net-covered pool for army crawling, hurdles to climb over and crawl under, medicine ball carrying, balance beam walking, tires to run through, finding coins in sand, getting past Camp Gladiator counselors in the Gauntlet, and climbing a inflatable Tower before sliding down and tagging the next teammate.

Gladiator camp 020.JPG

Balance beamToward the end of the course, each contender had to get through the gauntlet, guarded by two tough but fun counselors.

  Gladiatord

The final challenge was to climb the Tower of Death. Well, I'm sure they didn't call it that, but my name sounds cool.

Gladiator camp 033.JPGThe Red Team's points gave them a 4-second lead into the Eliminator, but both teams raced well. I noticed that in an effort to maintain good sportsmanship and keep the spirit and excitement up, the counselors played a little part in keeping the teams balanced up through the end; for example, they asked Nolan to go twice to help keep the teams even. Ultimately at the end the Blue Team pulled ahead and was the first to get their team banner back to the truck, the finish line. Yay! Both teams, G-O-O-D-J-O-B, good job, good job!

Gladiator camp 036.JPGFace paint, lots of cheers, getting wet, tackling counselors, climbing over stuff -- who could ask for more?

And with that, I'm up-to-date on the blog. School is around the corner already, can you believe it?

No TrackBacks

TrackBack URL: http://www.wildemere.net/cgi/mt/mt-tb.cgi/106

2 Comments

Wow! I want to go to gladiator camp!

I hope you are getting some decent weather for your ongoing painting adventure.

Hmmm... Let's see. Oh yeah, it's HOT!

Leave a comment