Mastering the Upper Lake: Going for Gold

by Falling Creek Camp on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

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With the weather getting warm and summer just around the corner, the upper lake is just calling out to the campers. It is the perfect time to take the cover off the pool, dust off the swim shorts, and dive into the crisp, cool water!

swim strokes

On the first day of camp, each camper will be assessed on their swimming skills. Boys that demonstrate solid swimming skills will be classified as “Gold Swimmers” and those who need to work on their skills will be termed “Green Swimmers”. Gold Swimmers must be able to demonstrate the following skills;

  1. Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.

  2. Swim 100 yards (4 lengths) in a strong manner using freestyle (front crawl). Turn onto back and swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. No stopping or “doggie paddling” is allowed during the Swim Check. Swimming the entire distance does not automatically qualify as showing ability. After swimming the distance, an evaluation will be made whether solid skills have been demonstrated. Several factors are considered in the determining proficiency:

Diving Board

  • Consistent stroke throughout the whole length of the swim
  • Body level in the water
  • Arms consistently clearing the water
  • Consistent and continuous kick
  • Continuous forward motion
  • Exhaustion level by the end of the swim
  • Demonstrate ability to rest when exhausted when on back
  1. Tread water for 5 minutes.

If a camper is classified as a Green Swimmer, he is are required to take swimming instruction as one of his six daily activities and is not eligible for out-of-camp sailing, paddling, and Sliding Rock trips. Green Swimmers are able to participate in lake canoeing and free swim activities in camp, wearing PFDs. Gold Swimmers are welcome to sign up for swimming as an activity period to improve their strokes, work on progressions, and have fun, but it is not a requirement.

swimming

Now is the time to practice! Get in the water with your boy(s) and start swimming. Use this opportunity to spend quality time with the kids. Not familiar with the swim strokes? Check-out Swimming Techniques. They have great tutorials on the different strokes as well as learning techniques. Now is the time to get comfortable in the water, preforming these skills, so when the first day of camp comes, they are ready to dive in and reach for gold!

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