Mini-camp applications now available
Mini-camp applications now available
Program to see changes in length, directors
By STU MERRY
Applications are now available for the 27th annual Trooper Coed Mini-Camp.
But this year’s event will have a somewhat different look. Stepping back this year is founder John Backhaus. Stepping in to fill his shoes will be Trooper coaches Jason Mattheis and Sandra Essler.
Mattheis admits he and Essler have some big shoes to fill.
“John has run a great camp for the last 26 years, but he decided that the camp should be run by someone currently in the program,” Mattheis explained. “He asked if I was interested, and I agreed.
“It will be different without John being around, but I am excited about the challenge and look forward to the opportunity to run the 27th Trooper Camp.”
Backhaus said it will be different to step away from the camp he founded but said it was time to let someone else hold the reins, adding he’s confident Jason and Sandra will do a great job.
Another change campers will see is the duration of the camp. The event will be May 25-29, Monday through Friday, instead of the regular Monday through Saturday camp.
“Trooper Camp is already a long week, so we decided it was in the best interest of the kids and parents to shorten it by a half day,” Mattheis said. “The kids will still get about the same amount of instruction, but we reworked the schedule a little to eliminate some of the down time the kids had, especially on the last day. The tournament will run entirely on Friday, instead of being split between the two days.”
As in the past, the mini-camp is open to students entering second grade through the ninth grade. The camp will be at Garrison High School’s Roy Schei Gym and the Bob Callies Gym.
A number of guidelines are still in place. Camp fees remain at $100 if students register prior to May 15. After May 15, the fee will be $105 until the May 20 deadline. A non-refundable advance registration fee of $25 must accompany each application. The deposit is not refundable. The balance of the fee is payable at the time of arrival at camp.
