North Kingstown Sports Camps: The Weight Room

It is important for young athletes to remain in shape during the off-season and summer months. has been providing an opportunity for young women and men to stay in shape.

The high school works in conjunction with the town during the summer to host sports camps at the school. One of the camps is a strength and conditioning camp that runs from June 24 through August 19, led by camp coordinator Jay Shabo.

"It is really good for the younger kids because they get to learn the proper techniques," Shabo said, who has operated the camp for the past 12 years. "Injury prevention and learning the proper technique are the two biggest things we stress."

According to Shabo, for each sport, because a lot of the kids play sports at the high school, there is a specific program. The program is catered to the needs and demands of that individual sport.

The camp is held in the weight room and runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m., though daily attendance is not mandatory.

The younger kids are encouraged to attend the camp between 6 and 8 a.m. because it is slower. They will be able to learn more and grasp more knowledge because the workers will be able to help and teach them.

Zach Wilmot, a 2009 graduate from North Kingstown High School, works for Shabo and is at the camp every day. He works with the kids and corrects their mistakes, showing them the proper form.

Shabo feels that he is making a difference in people's lives. "I enjoy helping the kids and we teach them life skills," he said. "They are going to be able to live a healthier lifestyle as they get older."

The kids who participate in the camp are able to receive professional advice from a licensed personal trainer for $60 for the two months of hte program.

Shabo graduated from Springfield College and ran his own personal training company called Realistic Fitness for six to seven years. He went on to become a physical education teacher at . During his time there, he would train clients from 5 to 7 a.m., work at the middleschool until 12:20 P.M. and take more clients until about 8 p.m. Shabo is now a physical education teacher at .