Gearing up your Game

The end of the school year reminds me of summers long ago when I carted my boys to sports camps at the Naval Academy. Kids from throughout the region stayed in Bancroft Hall while they honed their skills sailing, rowing, water polo and just about every sport you can imagine. I still remember how awestruck a lot of them were by the facilities, staying in such a historic place, and learning from Division I coaches. You can learn more about the sports camps here: www.navysports.com/camps/navy-camps.html

Maryland has some nationally recognized clubs, programs and sports facilities for aspiring athletes of all ages. A few have been in the news lately, so it’s a good time to mention them.



With the Chelsea-Milan match looming, no one could be more excited than the BAYS, the Baltimore Area Youth Soccer named the No. 1 youth club team in the country by Soccer America. The BAYS have a professional relationship with Chelsea FC, and this week (June 22-26) coaches from Chelsea are working with BAYS coaches on player development. The BAYS owe much of their success to the passion of Kevin Healey, general manager of the Baltimore Blast, who is president of the BAYS club team.

Maryland is also the aquacenter of competitive swimming, with Olympians Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center with the NBAC team. Keith Mills has a great story in this month’s Press Box about the next generation of Olympian aspirants who have come from distance and diverse backgrounds to train. You can read it here: www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=5008

It seems aspiring baseball players the world over know Ripken Academy in Aberdeen. Not only are there camps for youngsters to learn “The Ripken Way” with Cal and his brother Billy, but the complex also hosts team tournaments, and the Cal Ripken World Series in August. The Ripken program has been successful in many ways, including the media coverage it gives Maryland and the number of visitors it draws to Aberdeen.

The complex, with its retro ballfields reminiscent of classic MLB stadiums, is truly magical. You can see what Ripken Baseball brings to Maryland here: www.ripkenbaseball.com



Programs and facilities are not just for youngsters. Adventure Sports Center International, in Garrett County, situated on a mountaintop, offers training for the most skilled whitewater rafters and kayakers on their specially designed, adjustable course. The 2008 US National Whitewater Slalom Championships were held there, and in August, we’ll be going up for the US Rafting Nationals.

Of course, you don’t have to be a top competitor to enjoy the facilities. Even tenderfoots can shoot the course rapids or take a tour on a nearby river while experiencing the beauty of Western Maryland. See what they have to offer here: www.adventuresportscenter.com

There are many, many more top programs in Maryland. Look forward to sharing more about them.