2025 Day 3 Sweating it out in the 802
Hello, everyone! It’s your friendly neighborhood camp director here, fresh off a fantastic day on the trails here in northern Vermont. The sun was shining and the temps were higher than we usually have up in this part of Vermont. Our student athletes spent the day ripping through Sidewinder, Good n’ You, Farm junk and other trails that kingdom has to offer. It's truly a special thing to watch our riders navigate the roots and rocks with such skill and confidence. We hear about a new achievement for the groups each day.
One of the best parts of today was seeing the incredible camaraderie among the students. They weren't just riding; they were sharing jokes, offering encouragement, and pushing each other to be their best. It was a day filled with laughter and a deep sense of shared adventure. There’s nothing like camp with friends that just can't be beat. It builds bonds that last a lifetime, and it's a huge reason why our camp is so special.
Do you know about the Burke Mountain Muffin man? Well your kids do. You should have seen the smiles when they saw those blueberry and chocolate chip delights! It’s those little moments, like sharing a snack and recapping the day’s best rides, that really make camp feel like a family.
Our kids learned a new term today. A donor pit is where dirt comes from to build trails.
The students' dedication doesn't stop with just riding. They also spent a significant portion of their time giving back to the trails they love so much. They worked on opening up and improving a trail called New T. There are some kids that would do trail work all week if possible. They earned teen trail corps hours, gained some experience from some of the best builders in the country.
How is that for a view while doing yoga?
It was great to see all of our riders and staff in their new green camp shirts. They got to do all of their activities in view of the Lake Willoughby gap while wearing it’s profile on their new shirt. We welcomed Head Coach of AIM Academy, Deb Leedale Browne to provide some yoga classes to our students along with the rest of the activities they did this week.
Speaking of enthusiasm, I have to take a moment to talk about our amazing shuttle drivers. They are the unsung heroes of our camp, the ones who make sure everyone and their bikes get to the top of the mountain, delivers lunches, serve as pack mules for our gear all safely and with a smile. The students are always cheering for them when they arrive, and they share stories about them with a deep affection. Our shuttle drivers are more than just a ride; they are part of the camp family, and we couldn't do what we do without them.
