Sportcamp -

Språkläger, Solbacka!!

Hello all, Carl Åkerman here and... GASP! AT LAST, we are blogging!!! (Since this is a language camp, Hannes has asked me to do this blogg in English.)

First of all, we all want to say to all the parents who have been waiting for us to blogg that we are sorry, and today I will write as much as I can recollect from these past days which have been an absolute pleasure.

From the moment all the campers started streaming through the door, we knew that this group was going to be one of a kind. As soon as the kids had thrown their bags into their room, we kick started the camp with the regular tour and a fantastic lunch from our chef, Christopher. Then we got straight down to what this camp was all about: fun and sports! I was playing name games with Martina, learning not only the kids names but favorite sports, activities, and of course, a completely random fact. Hannes took care of putting the kids through a swim test to make sure everyone was comfortable with the water. Caroline went and put the kids through some team building activities while Marcus and the rest of the leaders did some games such as getting the kids to untangle themselves... from themselves in one giant human knot! Then we took some time to just relax and eat dinner. After that it was time from some brenboll where we saw not just how fast some of the kids could run, but how committed they were to keeping a fair game. This shone through when the leader, Fabian, tried taking the "burn" plate as he ran around the bases. This resulted in the boys of the camp tackling him to the ground. Way to go guys! Then it was off for some sandwiches and tea before we caught some well deserved sleep, which was much needed after all the running we had done! When Marcus and I went to say goodnight to our boys we could tell just how much fun this camp was going to be. Energy was raidiating through the hallways in forms of laughter, smiles, highfives, bear hugs from Hannes, and the aroma of freshbaked bread flowing from the kitchen, MMmmmmm!!

"AAAAASAWENNNYAAAA!!" was the first the kids heard as they woke up to lion king booming through the hallways on that overcast morning. The first cleaning inspection occured this morning, where the kids were inspected by a the very loud and very fashion savy Princess Coco (I wonder who should could be??) and her tough manager Feddie Black. Princess Coco didn't like the boys shoes, most of them cakes in mud. "Ewww!!" The activities that morning were Climbing, Archery, Ultimate Frisbee, and shooting. I was with Caroline teaching Ultimate Frisbee to the kids, many who had never heard of the sport. After some practice, instructions, and a bit more pratice the kids were playing like pros, working as a team. Eventually the teams tied right on the dot when it was time for lunch. Usually at sport camp, we all eat downstairs next to the kitchen, but with 51 kids at this camp, we need to split them up between the usual cafeteria, and the 3rd floor, where we have tables and chairs as well. After lunch which ends around 13.00, the kids have some free time to do activities of their choice. We have noticed that football in the gymnasium has become a camp favorite, especially when eveyone gets involved, making passes, cheering, and having a blast. Even the more timid girls jumped in, with Hortance making a spectacular goal off of a cross from Hanna. Then it was back to activites with some more swimming, climbing, archery, and lacross. At the end of the activity alot of kids were envious of the kids who had gone swimming because the sun had cracked throught the clouds and now was baking our campers, so as soon as free time started after the afternoon activities, all the kids who wanted to got to jump in the water. Another activity that the kids loved was the trampoline, which are very bouncy at sportcamp!! Our leader Gustav impressed everyone with his athletic ability as a gymnast, and was jumping really really high... what if he got stuck in a tree? Throughout this camp we have been very impressed with the kids attention to safety. We have as few rules as possible here at sportcamp, but one is that 2 leaders must be with the kids at the water. I am very proud to say that every time the kids wanted to jump into the water, they came to us. When we told them no, they were very polite and got ready for dinner. For the night activity, we played the general and spy. We became very sweaty and tired as the game went on, but no matter, because as always, the kids got freshbaked bread from Christopher when they got back. Then, with the sun down, the first full day of camp was behind us as Marcus and I said goodnight to our crazy boys, trying to get them to tell us about the girls in the camp. They wouldn't tell us. We'll get to them soon :-).

The second day the weather was not on our side, as it started to rain as the groups headed out to their activities after a cleaning inspection by two, very tough military officers. The activities this morning included golf, tennis, dance, and some other activity (My memory decives me right now, whoops!). Golf was fun (we have some pro golfers among us!!), and we are so lucky to have such easy acess to a driving range and a chipping/putting green. However, there was a little lack of golfballs, so some of the golfers went to dance, where they learned both from leaders and eachother how to do the worm, the spongebob, and the game "dancing statues". We all laughed at eachothers rediculous dances to songs such as "Funkytown" and "Barbie Girl". I believe it was that day where the "Sportcamp Contract" was signed by all the kids who had, one day earlier, created it. They showed a great deal of maturity with some rules such as "No name calling", "Respect eachother and Nature" and the most important rule of all "HAVE FUN!". After lunch and freetime we split off into afternoon activities. I led the kids to do American Football along with Marcus and Caroline. American football was complicated for the kids, but with the help of instruction from the leaders, some lax rules, and some fantastic leadership from some of the kids, we had a hilarious game, slipping and sliding in rain. At the very end of the game the score was 6-12, with the winning team one play from getting yet another touchdown. However, the defending team made an interception and tied it up 12-12 just intime for dinner. For the night activity, the kids played some multisport in the gym, including floorhockey and basketball. The kids where also scored on their chants and sportmans ship. At the end of the night activity, the lions edged out the A-Team with a ear-ringing chant. "LIONS!!" STOMPSTOMP! "LIONS". As always the kids, hoarse and happy went to bed with legs burning and hearts pumping.

Currently I am missing lunch and I got dish duty, but I (or someone else) will be back today to recap yesterday and today. However, I'll upload some pictures for you all!!!!

Take care,

Carl