Student Athletes Sweat It Out Over the Summer [Video]

"It's run like boot camp."

If most people heard that about a summer opportunity, they'd probably run the other way. But for many local students, a summer conditioning camp is just what they're looking for.

"The most important thing is just getting the kids out of the house and exercising in the summer," said program director, Ron Silva, who started the conditioning camp four years ago. "They probably wouldn't be exercising like this if they didn't have their peers pushing them."

Nearly 100 students from all athletic backgrounds started the nine-week conditioning camp on Wednesday. They hail from  , and other nearby schools. The students, dodging scattered rain showers, were teamed up in groups led by former Mt. Hope High School athletes and rotated stations over the course of the two-hour session.

"This is worse than squats!" one of the students yelled to his friend as he was launching a large tire across the field. 

Though the pain may have been harsh in the heat of the moment, none of the students complained about what they were asked to do. More importantly, no one quit. 

"I really like this," said Jon Perroni, who will be a sophomore at Mt. Hope in the fall. "This is my third year doing it. I wouldn't mind it if was every day."

While the program helps keep the upperclassmen in shape, Silva said it also helps the incoming freshmen transition into high school. 

"We have kids here that may normally not even be spoken to in the hallways," Silva said. "Now, they'll start school and be able to walk down the hallways and see these seniors that they met in conditioning camp and they'll already have that bond. High school can be tough, so we really want to make it easier on them."

The camp runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m., for the next nine weeks. The camp cost is $120 and those who wish to join can just pop in during one of the sessions held on the practice fields of Mt. Hope High School and ask for Ron.