Michigan State Women's Crew Takes Time To
7/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
July 29, 2004
Summer is here. The weather is warm and classes are over. But school was in session for some local-area children, as the Michigan State women's crew team had a few fun lessons to teach them.
From July 19-23, MSU played host to the "Teach A Kid to Row" camp. The camp consisted of seven sessions, with each session bringing in around 50 local-area children. The 8-twelve year olds were bused to MSU's boathouse, located at Grand River Park, by Lansing's Parks and Recreation Department for the half-day of fun.
"It was really nice because Michigan State came up with idea and brought the program to us, so all we really had to do was get the kids out there," Emily Stevens of the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department said. "It was so neat because some of our counselors came back from the experience with a personal interest in becoming involved in rowing."
"Every comment about the program that we have heard has been a positive one," Ricky Secor, also of the LPRD said. "The kids are saying that they are having more fun learning how to row than they had at the Lugnuts game!"
MSU head coach Matt Weise, assistant coaches Stacey Rippetoe and Chriistina Tymoszewicz and several members of the women's crew team headed the camp's events, leaving an impact on the children's views of crew.
MSU coaches and rowers alike took turns instructing the children as they taught these ready and willing young crew campers the ins and outs of the sport. Broken into two segments, the camp consisted of an instructional video and a trip onto the river.
Weiss constructed a barge by securing a plank of wood between two eight-person shells. Connecting the two boats allowed the children to feel stable on the water, while coaches could stand between them on the plank to help them.
"The greatest goal of the program is not to teach the kids to row, because you can't do that in a day," Weise said. "A lot of the kids entered the program very fearful of the water. They got into the boats and panicked, but after two minutes, they realized that there was nothing to be afraid of. They were petrified when they first got onto the dock, but when they came back from rowing, they had smiles on their faces and they wanted to stay out on the water. They all had a good time."
A good time was had all around the boathouse. As well as the campers, MSU rowers alike enjoyed the experience of remembering how difficult it is to learn how to row.
Senior Jasmine Pickler, and juniors Kirsten Rasanen and Suzanne Buzzell enjoyed being around the children and teaching them all about the sport that they each love so much.
"So many of the kids had no prior knowledge of rowing," Rasanen said. "So we had to start with the basics. This is a boat. This is a loon. It was a lot of fun, but you take for granted how much you know until you have to start from scratch."
"It was fun teaching the kids," Pickler said. "A lot of them asked if they could come again and really seemed to have a good time."
The kids happily enjoyed the experience of rowing on the river with the team. It is an experience that they learned lessons from.
"It was really fun to be out there," 10-year-old Josiah Pearl said. "It was hard to work together and it was hard to pull the oar, but that was my favorite part.
Brothers Alex and Wesley Canady each had a good day at camp as well, both taking away something different from the challenge of rowing.
"Rowing was really fun to do, but it was really hard too," 10-year-old Alex said. "It took a whole bunch of strength."
Younger brother Wesley had a particular favorite part of the day.
"We got to stick our hands into the water and it was so cold," 8- year-old Alex commented. "That was my favorite part, being out on the water since it was a hot day."
Each child came home with a different story and a different view of the day. But one thing was similar about every child. As they boarded the bus to go home, one could see the excitement written on every single face as they thought of their adventurous day on the river.
And when they take a look at their MSU crew T-shirt that they received as a gift for coming out to camp, they will remember their day of fun with the Michigan State women's crew team.
By, Julie Petri
Players Mentioned
