Providence Sports Camp wrapped up on Friday and the Camp Coordinator says this has been their most popular summer to date.

“Something that sets this summer apart is the demand that we have had,” offers Joel Coursey, “this is the first summer that all four volleyball camps were full with long waiting lists, and our basketball

Most programs were full, only the soccer camp had room this summer (Photo credit: Heidi Martens).camp was full with a waiting list. Only our soccer camp had room.”

While sports camps at the University College have always been popular, Coursey stresses that this year's interest was like nothing the school has ever seen.

Over 430 junior high and high school students coming from as far as Texas participated in the programming. Coursey says they all worked hard and many athletes showed marked skill improvements throughout the 5 weeks of the sports camp season.

When asked to describe a favorite moment of the summer, Coursey’s mind quickly turns to the tempestuous rainfall of early July.

“It’s Manitoba so we have wild weather that changes by the hour,” tells Coursey. “Our first week was the only camp that really needed the weather to be cooperative. It was our soccer camp. The first day started with torrential downpours but the kids embraced it. By the middle of the week, they were diving into the water and having a lot of fun out on the soccer field.”

Coursey says moments like this were commonplace throughout the summer and hopes the athletes who attended camp left with not only a better understanding of their sport but long-lasting memories as well.