A Sports Camp with a British Twist

This week nearly a dozen kids participated in the British Sports Camp at Skypark soccer fields.

The kids learned a different game each day, with Friday being the day to mix all the skills learned and play their favorite British sports.

Many of the world's famous sports began in Britain, including soccer, rugby, cricket and rounders. 

“This camp is unique, because most kids haven’t played these games,” coach Alex Booth said. “The kids experience the sport in a realistic game situation and really seem to enjoy themselves.”

Booth is from Doncaster, England, where he played these games in school as a kid. He is an experienced soccer coach for the De Anza Force and passionate about soccer and exercise.  

Booth is employed by Challenger Sports, which sponsors the British camp and coordinates with Scotts Valley Parks and Recreation to put it on.  

For the kids of Scotts Valley, this is a wonderful cultural and educational camp experience.

I had the opportunity to join in on the action on Thursday and play a game of rounders.  

Rounders is an exciting batting and fielding game similar to baseball played with a bat and ball.                      

The aim of the game is to hit the ball and run around four bases to get a "rounder."

I played on the all-girls team that won 15-14 in the final inning.

The week’s line-up looked like this:

 Rugby         

COOL SPOTLIGHT

Meet Don Vance, aka The Walker

Many of you have seen him walking regularly on Mt. Hermon Road or down Scotts Valley Drive. Don loves to walk and will tell you walking is the most natural thing to do. When he was younger, he played football and basketball to stay active. He chalks up 3-4 miles per day walking to Nob Hill, Wendy's and K-mart.

"I enjoy being active by walking daily," Don said.

Did you know walking is the No. 1 activity in the nation? Don is an inspiration for all of us to get out and walk.