Peace Garden Hosts Athletes

Many people already know the International Peace Garden is a great setting for tourists and patriotic ceremonies But did you know for the past 47 years it s been a great place for athletes too Debbie Kuehn explains Surrounded by cascading waters and an abunDance of fragrant petals the contenders agree to let the games begin Curtis J Phillips Camp Admin -Basketball Volleyball Soccer No it s not the summer olympics equestrian track and field But it s not all fun and games either gymnastics judo This is the annual Legion Athletic Camp A Canadian sports camp for athletes in grades 6 through 12 For 47 years young athletes from all over the world have gathered here at the International Peace Garden to work on everything from their jump shots to their volleys Curtis Ives Ontario- I m hoping to get to a place where I can play college basketball at least and see where it goes from there Carla Nava Mexico-You learn skills You learn how to play if you don t actually know And if you know you get better And that s awesome Curtis Phillips Camp Admin -Here the kids are here for an entire week for their chosen sport So they may be on the field endeavor for eight nine hours during the day but then they have the social interaction with the other athletes too and that s why the coaches continue to come down The week is spent improving skills boosting confidence and making friends Kim Addison Manitoba- I really like the friends I make because I keep in touch with them and the coaches area really good In fact that s one of the main reasons the kids return time and time again And even if they aren t handing out gold silver and bronze medals Who knows Carla- SO we may see you in the olympics someday Yeah you would I m sure you would These poesy packed fields and courts could be the training grounds for future olympic athletes Cam 2 Phillips says last year the camp hosted athletes from all over Canada plus 18 U-S states and 14 countries