“Knees bent, lean back, and keep your arms extended,” the Danbee instructor shouts as I slip into the cold lake water.
He slowly drives the boat away from my position as the tension tightens on the rope, lifting me out of the water. I stand up for a few seconds, pull the rope close to my chest, and fall backwards.
I love learning a new sport. But for me, basketball has been an emotional throughline that has kept me returning to Sports Track year after year. Going back to my first year of WriCampia in 2017, I remember playing basketball with Upper Campers and feeling a sense of belonging. Fast forward to the present: even as staff and some campers have changed over the years, I still enjoy playing basketball with fellow Senior Campers and the younger Lower and Middle Campers.
After waterskiing, I catch up with some campers in the Fitness Center to ask about what drew them to the Sports Track.
“It is a place that allows me to unwind from writing and enjoy some physical activity,” one Upper Camper said of the track as he worked up a sweat on one of the exercise bikes.
Many campers, inside the track and out, expressed their admiration for trying new sports. Sports such as waterskiing allow campers to enjoy activities that they may not be able to do at home. Other campers enjoy playing sports that they engage in at home so that they are fresh in time for the season to start.
One Lower Camper said, “Sports track is super fun since I can be with my friends and play tennis with them!”
Though the Sports Track is one of the smallest tracks in WriCampia, it’s still a great place to create memories, make friends, and take a shot at something new. ✎
