While this may be the off-season for most scholastic athletes, those attending the Junior Speed and Conditioning Camps at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) are doing anything but taking a summertime break.
Along with annually hosting the Junior Speed and Conditioning Camps, UCSD is also hosting a Junior Triathlon Camp this summer.
Under way this month, the camps will also run during parts of July and August at the school. The schedule includes programs the weeks of July 10-14; July 31-Aug. 4; and Aug. 7-11. The cost is $80 per week for the JSCC and $125 per week for the JTC.
According to Terry Martin, coach and director of the Masters Triathlon and Running Program at UCSD Recreation, the Junior Speed & Conditioning Camp at UCSD is designed to improve agility, quickness and stamina with an emphasis on running form and technique.
“Many drills are implemented for the development of speed enhancement, with a focus on running mechanics,” Martin commented. “This camp is for ages 9 to 17 and is applicable to all sports involving running. Every day we do something a little different. We always start out with a little warm-up, then stretch routine before getting into the core of the workout, which involves drills, plyometrics, circuits, speed training and/or trail running.”
Martin added that the school has been hosting these speed camps for 10 years and “have helped many kids improve their performance. The kids that attend this program are in the San Diego area mostly but sometimes we will get kids that are on vacation with their parents.”
The Junior Triathlon Camp is a new camp this year, designed to introduce kids to the fun sport of Triathlon.
“Throughout the week, we will teach the kids the basics of swimming, biking and running and how to put them all together,” Martin said. “They will learn proper techniques, bicycle safety and maintenance, transition training and proper nutrition all while having fun. Friday will finish with a mini-triathlon.”
According to Martin, all participants must be able to swim 25 yards, run one lap on a track and bike up to two miles. A helmet and bike is required. The ages of this camp are 11 to 17.
For more information on the conditioning camps at UCSD, call (858) 822-0379.