I still feel deprived that I’d never got to one of the big American Camps like Woodward West as a gymnast. I was in my 40s before I first saw the gym in Stallion Springs, California.
It’s MAGIC.
Superb facilities in an idyllic location & climate.
Back in my first weeks as a coach at Woodward West, Director “Hollywood” Mike asked staff to try to provide the BEST WEEK ever in the sporting life of kids.
If the only thing that matters is gymnastics, take your kids to the closest gym more elite than your own. But if you want your kids to have a unique life experience, send them to Woodward.
It’s inspiring to be coached by 2000 Olympic Floor Champ Igor Vihrovs and Bars legend Elise Ray.
Girls at camp are mostly registered in Artistic & Cheer. Boys mostly Action Sports: BMX, skateboard, etc.
The two cultures couldn’t be more opposite. (Action kids are those who think training in tight jeans in a hot climate is a good idea. 🙂 Fashion more important than function.)
Here’s one of the Action Sports pits. They flip boards and bikes into this one.
Tony Eusini was in charge of Artistic Gymnastics when I visited week #5. Loud and in charge.
Kids can sign out Go Pro helmet cams FREE. And later edit their POV video.
I like the visual feedback available for kids getting their “distance” tumbling into the pit.
New skills bell.
Cheer is BIG in 2012. Here’s the full size Cheer Floor with tumbling into the pit.
Click PLAY or get a glimpse of week #5 on YouTube.
The biggest downside to Woodward is the cost. It’s around $800 for a week. But you can cut back that cost with a parent volunteering as Camp Councillor, as Andrew Stess has done the past 3 years. If you’re driving your child to camp anyway, why not stay the week?
And chaperone 14 kids in a cabin? 🙂
My re-visit was sponsored by Tumbl Trak.
Thanks Linnea! Long live Woodward West.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 