After decades, I finally got to famed International Gymnastics Camp in Pennsylvania.
Camp Director Brent Kraus gave me a personal tour of their massive complex in the Poconos.
Week #7 they had 404 gymnasts. All 5 gyms were busy.
My trip sponsored by Tumbl Trak, I set up some of their newest inflatable equipment. Jesse Silverstein, Brandon Wynn, Sean Townsend, Sean Golden and Andrew Elkind played. Many of the coaching staff tried out the equipment, too.
Coaches at IGC are all required to do 2hrs of “school” 5 days / week. (8-10pm)
That’s part of their Professional Coaching Diploma (PCD) — currently the best coach training program in North America, since the Seneca School of Gymnastics in Toronto cancelled their 2yr degree program.
PCD is ideal for a young coach looking to get experience.
Founder Bruno Kraus was working out himself during “open gym”. Abe Grossfeld, age-78, not so much. Abe has been at IGC since the beginning. This summer he’s in charge of “visiting coaches”.
In fact, I was a visiting coach myself. Two girls I coached last season were enjoying Camp week #7, somewhat overwhelmed with the scale of things.
I was happy to see international elite Jessica Dowling. (Her coach was away at Olympics with Team Canada.)
Unlike Woodward, IGC offers only Artistic Gymnastics. They are serious. Kids are not “thrown” through difficult skills, as they are at most other Camps.
Gymnasts have no contact with parents over the week. No social media. No cameras.
OTHER IGC HIGHLIGHTS:
• 1 to 8 coaching ratio, plus two counselors living in every cabin
• Personal goal setting
• American Turners museum
• zip line over the lake
• laser tag outdoors in the woods
Click PLAY or watch a Camp highlights clip on YouTube.
Every gymnast should go to IGC at least once in their life. 🙂
… by the way, I was (surprisingly) most impressed by the Beam Gym.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 