Sports at Camp Towanda Archives

Posted on August 14, 2015 by camptowanda

Towanda Sports Center: 2015 Season Review

Camp started and ended with rain- the first and last two days were wet, but in between it was a phenomenal season as Towanda Sports Center raised the bar even more since 2014. It was a summer that flew by with visiting teams coming and going as well as Towanda teams traveling and hosting. We had the highest amount of camper participation in recorded Towanda history, as well as the highest amount of teams wishing to come to Towanda to play. Our teams and facilities looked the part and acted the part.

Consolidation of Our Code

The Philosophy continues, and others continue to recognize it. In sports, just as in life, you need to have focus, balance and a good sense of humor. Our teams were continually complimented on their ethics of teamwork, excellent sportsmanship and fair play among other things. Furthermore, we generally managed to achieve one other important goal: playing attractive sports that are skillful and pleasant to watch, whatever the result. Once again we are proud of all our kids and coaches as they had lots of fun in all their efforts and moved forward.

The results- not a top priority as we have stated before- reflected the spirit. Every age group to win at least one title in many different sports. This is most welcome and if you read on, you’ll see the details!!

Soccer Champs

Towanda’s most successful sport had five teams in Wayne County Finals, as well as a number of successes at invitationals. Some great soccer was played, but two highlights caught the eye: The“Miracle Cadet” who were 0-2 and 1-4 down at half time of their semifinal and final whistle and won both games in shootouts amid amazing celebratory scenes, while acknowledging excellent opponents in Equinunk and Wayne. The junior girls also flexed their muscles after scoring 32 goals in their Wayne County games!!

Grand Slam Hoops

Four finals, four Wayne County championships in Basketball! The most dramatic came when the tweens traveled to Trails End and won 22-20 in triple overtime in a very exciting final. The Club/L.I.T boys also triumphed in a tournament that traditionally consists of some major competitors overall, the coaches and kids had a very enjoyable season, playing many, many games with a lot of playing time for everyone.

Junior Girls Repeat

The girls also kept home their basketball Championships as well as the soccer, and they came close to causing upsets in softball and lacrosse. This is a fun-loving group that loves its sports!!

Tennis on Tour

Continuing our tradition of playing good tennis, both our individual and our team tennis groups enjoyed a fine season, the cutest moment being when a Towanda brother/sister team of 9^th/10^th grade mixed doubles made it to the Wayne County semifinals.

Baseball/Softball is Back

The senior (9^th grade) girls went the distance and brought home a much-awaited softball Wayne County championship. They hit confidently and swept aside champs Bryn Mawr and Tyler Hill on their travels, which speaks volumes. All our teams pitched and fielded very well and look forward to a great 2016 season.

Lacrosse Delivers

After reaching two finals last year, our super-enthusiastic staff made it three this year. The junior (6^th grade) boys lost in overtime, as did the Club/L.I.T (10^th/11^th grade) boys against very strong opponents. But our national/senior (8^th/9^th grade) boys went one better as they triumphed over the likes of Indian Head, Starlight and Wayne on their way to the title. Their shooting was fearless and decisive and lacrosse for both boys and girls is expanding hugely ahead of the 2016 season.

Flag Football Promise

Many participants enjoyed some great games. Our coaching staff ensured that all involved learned techniques as well as plays for all ages. We are looking to expand into tournaments for our girls in 2016 as powder puff grew in popularity within Towanda’s girl camp.

Volleyball Victory

All three of our teams in boys and girls upper camp showed much spirit and enthusiasm as they worked hard with their coach to improve. This brought a very welcome championship home as the Club/L.I.T. boys triumphed at Island Lake with the whole team serving effectively a multitude of aces. Lower camp has taken to this and volleyball is yet another area that is growing at Towanda.

Hockey Players and Swimmers

Hockey continued to develop, thanks to our All-Canadian staff this year, building the skills of all levels and hoping to mount a challenge competitively in 2016. Additionally, our hugely enthusiastic swim team staff led our campers to 3 swim meets for boys and girls. The boys did especially well in all strokes, as did the girls in both freestyle and medley relays.

Undefeated Jets and Debs

These playdates for our youngest campers resulted in much, much fun for kids and staff, and an interesting statistic was discovered after the last playdate: in all the sports played (soccer, basketball, kickball,gaga, newcombe) we did not lose any!! We’ll happily take that!!

All-in-All

Win, lose or draw, it was a superb summer in sports. The concept remains- we love sports!! And, they are available for everyone. We focus on safety, sportsmanship, camaraderie, fun and playing well. This is what brings victory, whatever the results of the game.

We have some really nice surprises in store for next summer. You’ll have to wait and see what they are!! Meanwhile, a big well done to all the campers and coaches, and the very best to all our kid, families and staff for a happy and healthy winter. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in June 2016. Congratulations to everyone who participated this season and our champs and runners up below…

This is Coach Lee with Towanda Sports Center

Wayne County Champions

Boys 10th/11th grade Volleyball
Girls 6th grade Soccer
Boys 4th grade Soccer
Boys 10th/11th grade Basketball
Boys 7th grade Basketball
Girls 6th grade Basketball
Girls 5th grade Basketball
Girls 9th grade Softball
Boys 8th/9th grade Lacrosse

Wayne County Runners-up

Girls 9th grade Soccer
Girls 10th/11th grade Soccer
Boys 10th/11th grade Soccer
Boys 8th/9th grade Volleyball
Boys 10th/11th grade Tennis Singles
Boys 10th/11th grade Lacrosse
Boys 6th grade Lacrosse

Renegade Tournament Winners

Boys 4th grade Soccer
Boys 4th grade Basketball
Girls 6th grade Basketball
Girls 5th grade Softball
Girls 4th grade Soccer

Invitational Tournament Winners/ Runners-up

Boys 4th grade Baseball
Boys 10th/11th grade Lax

Towanda Tournament Champions

Boys 7th grade Basketball
Boys 7th grade Soccer
Girls 6th grade Softball

Posted on August 3, 2013 by camptowanda

Olympics Day 2: Pull that rope!

And we’re off!!

Olympics 2013 is off to an incredible start. Intense spirit, effort and pride everywhere. From the creative athletic apparel (did you know you can play soccer in a tutu?) to the chants and cheers, Olympics is very much HERE!

For those of you who may have tuned into the Camp Cam for your daily weather check, we had a nice weather day (with a few spots of rain). All sports were played. In the morning we had Girls’ Track Meet. From the marathon to the potato shuffle to the 4 1/2 relay, those girls ran their hearts out (with the Generals, CCs, Lieutenants and Sergeants running along side them for EVERY RACE). While they ran the track, the boys competed in basketball, soccer, team handball, softball, football and GHOST. The Grand Master reported some games were down 2-0 in best of 5 to come back to win!!

During rest hour, tennis, soccer, co-ed CIT Ghost were played, while the Senior/Club/LIT boys collected wood for tonight’s rope burning (the Club boys have been practicing with their coaches–it should be an incredible event tonight…you’ll have to check it out on the Skyview Camp Cam!).

In the afternoon, the boys headed to the waterfront for their swim meet. The water was a little cool, but that just made the boys swim faster. Kick-board and kayak races, freestyle relays and the All-Star Race. Everyone competed, tried their very best and congratulated their friends in the next lane. The Girls rocked the fields in kickball, basketball, newcombe, Ghost (of course), soccer, gaga and softball.

As our last Friday evening at camp, we continued the tradition where the Dorm and Deb girls light the candles and welcome us to our Shabbat dinner. To see our 8 year old Debs with our 15 year old Dorm girls…it just reminds us how far these girls and all our campers have come. We had an abridged service, the Red Zombies and Blue Clones did some entertaining skits and everyone got ready to PULL THAT ROPE!

Tug of War was under an incredible sky on Skyview, under the lights. Everyone gave it their all, cheered with pride and celebrated with some milk and cookies!

After Tug of War last night, the National boys basketball game went into OT!!! Fast-paced, evenly matched, well-fought. The coaches were really proud of their boys!!! A great end to Day 2!

Excitement, tradition and warmth are everywhere here at Camp Towanda with over 50 Guest Alumni Judgies swarming and feeling nostalgic! It’s amazing that no matter how long it’s been since they were a camper or counselor, just being here makes them feeling like it was just yesterday!!! Having them here helps make Olympics that much better!

At the end of the 2nd day, the BLUE CLONES are ahead of the RED ZOMBIES by just 13 points and consider that 2200 points have been awarded this far.

TONIGHT is the great ROPE BURNING event, considered to be the best night of camp! Stay tuned….

Events are underway today…Boys Track Meet, Girls Swim Meet and lots of activities on the fields and courts.

Good luck Red Team. Good luck Blue Team.

Posted on July 2, 2013 by camptowanda

It’s Tiki Time @ Towanda

Tiki Barber visits Camp Towanda!

Last fall Tiki Barber promised us he would visit Towanda and he made good on that promise this past Sunday! While we have been in rainy-day mode for a couple of days (mud ghost, water basketball, arena soccer, volleyball, boating, gymnastics, bumper cars, arts & crafts, basketball, rollerblading, etc.)….the skies cleared to make way for former NY Giants running back Tiki Barber.

Tiki Barber was a good sport and everyone was thrilled to meet him. Here are some photo highlights of his visit to Camp Towanda!

hands on heads — Tiki got called up to lead the prayer! “Hands on heads”.

headtable — “Tiki Barber to the head table”

ghost — We introduced Tiki to our home field…the GHOST court and showed him how it’s done!

hiding behind tiki — Tiki goes from running back to lead blocker during a game of Ghost!

older boys — Shaking hands, meeting our campers, talking sports and life at Towanda

tiki and pelton — Tiki Barber…clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

tikitime — A great day @ Camp Towanda with one of the NY Giant’s greatest players of all-time!