Camp History:

For the fourth straight year Bizzarro presented a four-day summer camp at Bethel Supercross July 9^th to the 12th. Bethel Connecticut is a special place for me, and when I was asked to take over the camp back in 2004, I couldn’t say no. Racing in Bethel as a teenager I’ve grown to know Don and Kathy Olson as family, and now I’ve had a chance to let my “family” see just what a great place it is. Summer camps weren’t anything I wanted to get into, even after having done clinics for over ten years. But Bethel was looking to replace a failed RM59 camp experience, and I stepped up to take on the challenge.

Young guns instructor Kayla Gaddis letting out some pent up energy during one of the camps “Free Ride” breaks, blasting the first straight step into turn one.

Camp Lineup:
As any good manager does in sports, changing the line up to get a fresh feel was how we approached this years camp. Gone were the fine folks of Stile Industries, and aside from one multi talented “friend of the family”, the lineup was all Bizzarro team riders. Over the last three years I’ve had the chance to shuffle in many of the team riders, and most have shown the desire to make this camp the best around. Coming off a weekend win in Elite Open at the Trumbull, CT National was Allen Currier. Allen and I are the only two to have been at all four of the summer camps. Allen teamed with 14-year-old team rider Austin Loebe, a first timer at camp with the “skills to pay the bills”. Together with the “one and only” Jerry Bagley (Adio) they headed up the ten and over camper group. Jerry’s been absent from the BMX spotlight for a few years, spending most of his time and energy on his baby daughter. But with the riding AND racing skills that Jerry possesses he’s an asset to any camp.

Kayla Gaddis and Dave Bedford have proved in previous camps that they have what is needed to work with and teach younger nine and under riders. In her first camp, Courtney Applewhite proved that not only does she have a place in future camps if she chooses, but she just may have a career path in personal training and fitness. Her morning warm ups were a killer to riders and Instructors alike. Six instructors, two groups of 15 to 20 riders on any of the four days was how the camp was organized. Group and whole camp activities differed from day to day with on track instruction and lecture sessions.

New for 2007:
Training is becoming a more vital part of BMX racing and that message is now being heard by a much younger level of rider than in years past. Being the network that Bizzarro is, we called on one of our former teammates to lend his expertise to this year’s camp. Todd Cambio turned his passion for BMX and football into a career as a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), and that combined knowledge is something we knew should be incorporated into our camp.

So, for three hours of Wednesday’s camp we put the bikes aside and got to work on some of Todd’s training routines. This was definitely one of the highlights this year, click on the link to see some photos of the session.

http://www.goprecisionfitness.com/events.php

2007’s camp was HOT in more ways that one! Keeping with a summer camp mind set, Ice Sunday’s on a ninety-degree day were a great break from riding. Don adds the whipped cream to Jordan’s Sunday.

In a year in which we thought change may mean a decline in numbers, we were pleasantly surprised to see 2007’s high number matched 2006’s. As much as the instructors on the track mean a great deal to a camp’s success, the support team OFF the track is what makes everything run smoothly for everyone involved. Without that crew we would never attempt to on any such program. Thanks to Don, Kathy, Karen and the rest of the crew who put forth so much effort to make the camp a success year after year.