Bryant Pond 4H Camp

Drew
Gibby
watching
Jackson
Tom getting some tips on standing with Sarah
Carrie
Sarah showing correct positioning
Caitlin, Anne, Tucker and Tim

Mike Mullin learning a few things
Mitchell
Tim
Haley
Gibby, 5 years old shooting air rifles!
Lydia getting some shooting pointers
Gibby and JB
Gibby
Jackson
Jackson climbing
Joel ziplining
Joel climbing

Ian
Carter
Connor Cushman zipping away
Carter running up the ropes
Parents and coaches watching


The weekend before last the Southern Maine Biathlon Club packed up all of our rifles, orange hats, a bunch of snacks, and very warm clothes, and set off to Bethel for our fall weekend camp. It was more of an adventure camp than roller-skiing and training. We left on Saturday morning, arriving at the camp around nine. When we got there everyone was split into groups. Everyone started out with some basic team building and trust activities. Then the first group went to the zip-line, and the second group went to the "lower ropes course". We were taught safety, how to use harnesses and put on helmets correctly, and everyone set goals. The athletes climbed a large tree and zipped down a wire to the bottom. When I asked people how it was they said "exhilarating", "scary", "ballin" and "a rush". Pretty cool! Meanwhile the second group was on the lower ropes. These were smaller "elements". They consisted of a large seesaw, wires between trees to walk across, tree stumps to create log bridges, and more. An instructor brought the group around and at each element came up with a challenge for the whole group to complete together. They required a LOT of thinking, strategizing and focus, and also provided a lot of laughs. After being outside in the cold all morning, everybody went into the dining hall to sit by the fire and have lunch. After lunch the two groups switched activities. The camp also had a range, so after the second set of activities we split into more groups and went shooting. We had a few biathlon coaches from Gould Academy come over to help out and coach, which was great! Everyone learned new things to work on. After dinner Mr. Crawford brought everyone books on air rifles and we had a short lesson from him on safety and positioning. Then everyone bundled up for bed

In the morning after breakfast we set off for a short hike. The hike was a lot of fun, and there were some great views. We had another shooting session late Sunday morning. Our Gould coaches came back and helped out with the .22 shooters, and the air rifles. It was a very productive morning on the range. After lunch everybody packed up and we were off back to Yarmouth.