Guest blogger Bruce Thompson

Ranch kids excel in sports

During my time at SchallerSchool, I discovered that many kids really excel at sports and enjoy it.  It is therapeutic and gives them a chance to relieve some stress.  Physical activity connects with the kids physically and helps them emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to be more grounded.

Schaller School sports camps

Our program at SchallerSchool is quite active physically.  So, recently the teaching staff decided to get the students involved in a different way where they are exposed to a variety of sports and have the opportunity to get active in these sports without the pressure of competition to be the best.  We came up with the idea of the Schaller Camps for Fun and our motto is “It is not about being the best; it’s about trying your best.”  These camps give everyone the chance to learn new skills without the pressure of thinking they have to be the best.  It is for every skill level, which removes barriers for the youth to try to learn new sports.

Involving the University of Regina

Since September, we have hosted a soccer camp and plan to host eight more camps throughout the school year covering soccer, volleyball, hockey, basketball, arts and crafts, fun and fitness, cultural games, track and field, and baseball.  Many of the camps will take place off-site at venues such as the University of Regina (U of R) recreational facilities to give students a different experience.  Where possible, U of R athletes will participate in the camps with the youth, further bolstering their experiences.  The fun and fitness event will take place at Taylor Field and will be hosted by the Regina Catholic Schools.

Athletic and personal development

I see these camps as integral to the development of the kids.  They go beyond removing the competition barrier to participating in sports and learning new skills by also providing the students the chance to be a part of an experience much larger than they are – these camps are an extension of their normal recreational regime, and they also get to meet some influential athletic role models.