Summer Day Camp for Austin Area Military Youth

August 2011

The Comfort Crew for Military Kids—an initiative of the Trevor Romain Foundation—and Train 4 The Game (T4TG)—an elite athletic training facility—offered a summer program serving area youth, grades 6 through 12, from military families in the Austin area.

The camp used fitness training as a way to address the unique challenges military kids face:

• Transitions
• Teamwork
• Nutrition
• Bullies
• Goal setting and more

Designed to empower and encourage the participants to continue training, the program worked to build resilience for both physical and emotional fitness!

Participants were challenged to work as a team and experienced encouragement from the trainers, coaches, and athletes.

The camp featured three main components:

• Physical training
• Information sessions with guest speakers
• The service project

Physical Training

“It was the most fun I have ever had while I was working out.”  Camper, age 11

Each day, the campers where first led through stretches and then a wide variety of exercises.  While some were difficult, the trainers stressed moving at their own pace and drinking lot’s of water.  Even though the campers covered a wide age group, some challenges required the campers to work together to complete, which built teamwork and they learned to rely on each other.

“The biggest accomplishment that I saw among the group was the esprit de corps; the camaraderie; even competitiveness, which was refreshing.  I loved the fact that I saw the group smiling after the hard work out.” Parent

Information Sessions with Guest Speakers

“It’s not about eating right, it’s about not eating wrong.  It’s okay to express how you feel, it makes you tougher.” Camper, age 15

After the physical training, the campers were taken inside and given a snack.  As they ate, they were provided with information on topics relating to physical fitness, emotional fitness, and military life.

Guest speakers included Trevor Romain, who spoke about helping others and dealing with deployment.

Train 4 The Game trainer Jessica Vaiana spoke about nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits.

“Overall, the camp helped me get a better understanding of being fit.  From working out right to eating right.” Camper, age 17

Major Marc Patterson spoke about setting goals and gave a soldier’s perspective on deployment and reintegration.

“My family hasn’t been deployed but now I know what some of my friend’s families go through.”  Camper, age 12

And Baker Harrell of Active Life spoke of the importance of physical fitness and being healthy, not only for the campers, but for their families and their community.

The Service Project

On the last day of the camp, the campers learned how to tie climbers rope into a survival bracelet. As a service project, the campers made survivor bracelets for kids from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area and for their Family Readiness Group representatives.

GAME ON!