Chelmsford Field Play Wraps Up for the Summer

This year was Coach Garret first season of running Chelmsford Field Play Camp, formerly known as Track Camp.

 The program, which takes place on the track at  encourages kids between the ages of 4 and 12 to try out the different running and field events that are offered in the popular sport of track and field.  The middle school gym teacher said it was a success.

“I thought it ran great.  The coaches did a great job to get the kids active, which is sometimes very tough to do. They did a great job keeping them engaged the whole time,” he said.

McCarthy said that he chose to help run the program this year, because he feels that track and field is a sport that should be introduced at a young age.

“We do track and field as one of our units, (in gym class) and the younger kids really love doing it,” said McCarthy. “This is a great change to get them involved more, because track is a big sport in high school and college.”

Michelle Manzelli, whose children Gianna, 5, and Peter, 11, participated in the program this summer, said that she loves the camp.

“What I like about this program is the age span. It’s hard for me to find things that both of my children can do together, and this is one of them,” she said.

Manzelli added that she thinks her son will compete in track in high school.

Mary Crawford, the mother of three track athletes, is sad to see the program come to an end for the year.

“We have three kids, ages 9, 7, and 4, and all of them can do it. We wish it went on longer,” she said.

The Crawford family will definitely participate in the program for years to come, as this first season has been so much fun, they said.

 Sign-ups for next summer will take place in the spring.