WEEK #5 – FRIDAY, JULY 26
Hello BLC Parents and Alums!
A lot has happened over the last two weeks. Visiting Weekend was a major event and we were truly glad to see so many of you. At BLC, differently from many camps, it is important to us to show our parents what we do and how we do it. Of course parents being here affects things to some degree, but we think that you saw not only your kids and our facilities, but also your son(s) receiving instruction, playing games, enjoying hobbies, interacting with friends and counselors- plus a song rehearsal and a nice lunch. We hope you also saw how comfortable they are at BLC. Our Seniors enjoyed their time out of camp- with our belief that most senior parents have seen our visiting days in the past- and it allows our directors and key staff to give more individual attention to the parents that are visiting with younger campers.
Since visiting, in addition to an awesome Song Contest, we’ve continued regular activities, each group had a co-ed evening with Point O’ Pines, Inters played in tournaments with great success, our Varsity Soccer team wowed us with a stellar performance on our beautiful upper field, our Senior A’s won the “Toilet Paper” tourney we hosted at BLC (playing another BLC team in the finals), and had our annual 10 Year Party with an amazing 48 invitees (i.e., people who have spent 10 or more summers at BLC). We also welcomed back Coach Dylan Murphy –a ten year BLC alum and presently the head coach of Orlando Magic’s G-League team after being an assistant coach with the Orlando for 3 years– and Stanley Borden –a seven year BLC alum and presently a 7 foot center for Duke– each for a few days. Our Senior Bs are presently on a 3 day trip to Boston (including a Yankees/Red Sox game at Fenway) and our Senior Cs are in the midst of 3 days in Montreal.
The topic I wish to opine on today is the benefits of playing multiple sports in contrast to emphasizing just one – particularly at a younger age.
Interestingly, Coach Dylan Murphy, while being interviewed in front of most of camp by fellow BLC alum and sports journalist Arden “Sizzle” Franklyn, cited more than once how the Magic and other teams love when their players have a history of playing multiple sports. Despite currently having a professional career in basketball, he also remembered that his favorite sports for most of his Brant Lake years were soccer and baseball. (Similarly, Stanley Borden spent most of his BLC years playing tennis and acting in camp shows!). Coach Murphy referenced Roger Federer – who credits his hand-eye coordination to the wide range of sports he played as a child; but I additionally know of college football and basketball coaches who also like when their players come from a multi-sport background. There are a myriad of reasons why. Preventing overuse injuries and burnout, learning to play different roles on different teams –individual sports and team sports; being a star, a starter, a reserve– all add to growth, maturity and development.These are just a few benefits along with many others.
Of course, this is what we have long believed and offered at BLC. As boys get older, we encourage them to pick and choose, to work harder and play more the sports that they enjoy the most and/or aspire to excel at, but even our Senior Cs look forward to our intramural “Leagues” where they all participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, flag football and basketball games.
This week attention will surely turn to the start of Green and Gray. I am not giving it away, but it will start before my next musings!
Wishing you the very best and greatly appreciate your support!
Richie G
Hello BLC Parents and Alums!
A lot has happened over the last two weeks. Visiting Weekend was a major event and we were truly glad to see so many of you. At BLC, differently from many camps, it is important to us to show our parents what we do and how we do it. Of course parents being here affects things to some degree, but we think that you saw not only your kids and our facilities, but also your son(s) receiving instruction, playing games, enjoying hobbies, interacting with friends and counselors- plus a song rehearsal and a nice lunch. We hope you also saw how comfortable they are at BLC. Our Seniors enjoyed their time out of camp- with our belief that most senior parents have seen our visiting days in the past- and it allows our directors and key staff to give more individual attention to the parents that are visiting with younger campers.
Since visiting, in addition to an awesome Song Contest, we’ve continued regular activities, each group had a co-ed evening with Point O’ Pines, Inters played in tournaments with great success, our Varsity Soccer team wowed us with a stellar performance on our beautiful upper field, our Senior A’s won the “Toilet Paper” tourney we hosted at BLC (playing another BLC team in the finals), and had our annual 10 Year Party with an amazing 48 invitees (i.e., people who have spent 10 or more summers at BLC). We also welcomed back Coach Dylan Murphy –a ten year BLC alum and presently the head coach of Orlando Magic’s G-League team after being an assistant coach with the Orlando for 3 years– and Stanley Borden –a seven year BLC alum and presently a 7 foot center for Duke– each for a few days. Our Senior Bs are presently on a 3 day trip to Boston (including a Yankees/Red Sox game at Fenway) and our Senior Cs are in the midst of 3 days in Montreal.
The topic I wish to opine on today is the benefits of playing multiple sports in contrast to emphasizing just one – particularly at a younger age.
Interestingly, Coach Dylan Murphy, while being interviewed in front of most of camp by fellow BLC alum and sports journalist Arden “Sizzle” Franklyn, cited more than once how the Magic and other teams love when their players have a history of playing multiple sports. Despite currently having a professional career in basketball, he also remembered that his favorite sports for most of his Brant Lake years were soccer and baseball. (Similarly, Stanley Borden spent most of his BLC years playing tennis and acting in camp shows!). Coach Murphy referenced Roger Federer – who credits his hand-eye coordination to the wide range of sports he played as a child; but I additionally know of college football and basketball coaches who also like when their players come from a multi-sport background. There are a myriad of reasons why. Preventing overuse injuries and burnout, learning to play different roles on different teams –individual sports and team sports; being a star, a starter, a reserve– all add to growth, maturity and development.These are just a few benefits along with many others.
Of course, this is what we have long believed and offered at BLC. As boys get older, we encourage them to pick and choose, to work harder and play more the sports that they enjoy the most and/or aspire to excel at, but even our Senior Cs look forward to our intramural “Leagues” where they all participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, flag football and basketball games.
This week attention will surely turn to the start of Green and Gray. I am not giving it away, but it will start before my next musings!
Wishing you the very best and greatly appreciate your support!
Richie G
