Without much else going on in Rhode Island in July, Prout Athletics was able to offer a unique experience to their students for the first time: summer workout camps. Over 150 Prout students joined their coaches for week-long training sessions over the course of the summer.
A general bootcamp was led by Coach Darryl Brooks, while other camps specialized in specific sports. The coaches who led camps for lacrosse, soccer, tennis, basketball, cross country, and baseball all volunteered their time. While skill development was one key aspect of the program, athletes also had the opportunity to safely form community during a critical time when socializing was limited.
“The environment with a coach is really helpful for the incoming students,” says Kelly Moniz, Co-Athletic Director, “transfer students and the incoming freshmen got to know other kids in a structured way before the school year began. For the returning students—many who hadn't been on campus since March 13—it meant so much to them to be back.”
The program took place entirely outside in the fresh air and social distancing guidelines were followed for each small group of students. In future summers, the hope is to hold summer athletic camps for not only Prout students but for a variety of age groups in the community.