Sports Camps, Local Athletes Feel the Burn with Rising Temps

By Claire Borncamp, 12

Athletes better start doubling up on their drinks. Temperatures are skyrocketing and the weather is hot! A 2021 study done by NASA shows, “Nineteen of the hottest years have occurred since 2000.” In fact, “The year 2020 tied with 2016 for the hottest year on record since record keeping began in 1880.” All over the world bursts of heat are popping up. DuPage county is one of these places.

Over the past few weeks, DuPage County has been heating up, some days almost to a hundred degrees. This is very unusual for weather in Chicago's suburbs. Usually, its summers do not exceed the high 80’s. During the week of July 17th 2022, temperatures have gone up to over ninety degrees. This is not the first time heat has hit the county lately. The main cause: Global warming.

It's Worse Than We Think

Over the last twenty years, world temperatures have gone up more than they have for the past century. This is largely due to the increasing use of fossil fuels and growing carbon emissions. According to Ecomastreyproject.com , a guide to going green, electric cars and hybrid cars with CNG engines produce less carbon emissions. By purchasing from these eco-friendly companies, people can help reduce their carbon footprint. However, that is not enough. Changing our lifestyle is really the need of the day. An easy way DuPage citizens can help is by walking more places. Instead of driving to the gym, maybe go for a run. Still, make sure you are keeping yourself safe also.

Play it Safe

Heat can be a pretty deadly thing if you don’t handle it correctly. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends staying inside during midday (the hottest parts). However, if you must go outside there are things you can do to keep cool. Examples of what you can do is

• “Pace your activity. Start activities slowly and pick up the pace gradually.”
• “ Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more.”
• “Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.”

By sticking to these tips you can stay cool and energized. A prime place to use these tips is during summer camp. Specifically sports camps.

Sports camps have been taking more breaks for water and cooldowns. Even with the extra breaks the heat is weighing athletes down. Athletes have to deal with these unfortunate weather conditions when exercising outdoors. Luckily there are ways to help gain some energy. Runner’s World, a sports advice website, suggests, “Before your run, try to drink at least eight ounces of water or sports drink every hour so your perspiration systems are in tip-top shape. Consider bringing fluids with you on the run in a water belt or pouch, or map out a run that hops from water fountain to water fountain.”

Jenny Tan, pediatrician and Glen Ellyn, IL, mother of three athletes, recommends pouring cold water on your head and the back of your neck. She says, “The water will help keep you cool even when you are running. Like sweat it will evaporate, cooling you off and hydrating your skin.”

Athletes of DuPage County can stay nice and cool by following these tips. We may not be able to make global warming disappear, but we can find ways to live with it and most certainly move to change it.

About the Writer

C. Borncamp, age 12, is a Glen Ellyn based writer and student with Writers Studio. Her stories, poems and journalism can be read at www.writersstudio.us.