“I want to ride my bicycle”
I am pleased to introduce our e-audience to Airy’s new BMX pump track. What is a pump track you ask? Thanks to Wikipedia: “A pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of just pedaling. It was originally designed for the mountain bike and BMX scene, and now, due to concrete constructions, is also used by skateboard and scooter riders.”

Put more succinctly, it’s one of our cool new toys at Camp Airy. These two helmeted and well-padded campers are some of the first to test out the track. The track is 57 feet long and wide, and has peaks as high as 3 feet. The curves cover 21 feet from start to end. The track is modular, expandable and movable. Rain used to wipe out too many periods of BMX, as the dirt track turned to mud. With the new track, all it takes is a few minutes with a backpack blower to have the track ready for riders after a passing shower. Our skate boarders and scooter riders are eager to test out the track too.

During staff orientation, Airy’s Extreme and Outdoor Adventure staff members spent an afternoon in bike training. Most of the staff struggled to ride the new course without falling … and I have to admit it made me smile. I didn’t smile because they fell, but instead because they got up and returned to the start. The staff were more determined to figure out the course. It was then I knew our campers would get a rich experience at the BMX track, because the lead counselors would be teaching and instructing from a position of empathy. As more and more staff began to get the hang out it, the energy and chatter increased tremendously, and high fives followed.

We’re excited to see how the BMX program evolves over the summer.

So long until the next blog,
Marty

Today’s Birthdays

Jared C. – CAs
Rachael – Assistant Director

    UNIT SPOTLIGHT – Unit C    

Welcome to the Unit C home of petting zoos, funnel cakes, and amusement galore! Our theme this summer is Carnival. In the past few days our campers have been tasked with breaking world records. Our latest world record attempted was trying to organize a ten-pound bag of skittles by color with their feet. The kids had a smile from ear to ear, even though they were unsuccessful in taking down the record. Unit C will continue to persevere as we look to try to take down a few more records as the summer continues. As our ringleader Doug Putchat always exclaims “Dah, Dah, Dah, Dah, Dah, Afro Circus Polka Dot Polka Dot”. Can’t wait to continue our carnival road trip together.

Sam, Unit C Unit Leader

Today’s Menu

Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
Egg McAiry | Hash Browns | Cereal | Fruit | Yogurt , Sloppy Joes | French Fries | Roasted Veggies | Salad Bar | Pasta Bar | Sugar Cookies , Fried and Baked Chicken | Mashed Potatoes | Asparagus | Rolls | Salad Bar | Pasta Bar

Today’s Weather

High: 88°F | Low: 68°F
Warm and partly-to-mostly sunny all day long!