DATE: March 12, 2008
CONTACT:
Pam Bryant, (803) 553-7705
pbryant@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Chris Copeland, (803) 397-0597
ccopela@clemson.edu
Camp Bob Cooper launches its popular Spring Crew Training
CHARLESTON – Eat. Sleep. Row. That’s the Spring Crew Training motto at Clemson’s R.M. Cooper Leadership Center, otherwise known as Camp Bob Cooper, on Lake Marion near Summerton. More than 1,300 rowers from more than 30 teams will participate in this season’s Crew Training.
High school and college rowing teams from all over the country choose Camp Bob Cooper for spring training.
Beau Mongold, crew coordinator for Camp Bob Cooper, is not surprised by the growing popularity of the training program. “We have warm weather, a rustic yet beautiful setting, a complete range of modern amenities and a program that fosters community living and a team-building environment.”
“It’s right on the water. You come out of the cabin, the sun’s rising over the lake, and it’s so beautiful,” said Larry Muri, Manhattan crew coach.
Because lodging, meals and recreation are only yards away from the docks, time normally spent traveling to and from a launch site is spent on the water. “We don’t have to put athletes in a van to go looking for food or water,” said Bill Stekl, member of the Amherst Crew.
Other amenities for day and evening activities include classrooms; a computer lab; a large gymnasium; lighted recreational areas for basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, softball, Frisbee and football; as well as adventure programming with a climbing tower, high ropes and adventure courses designed for team-bonding and confidence-building. Many of the teams take day trips to nearby Charleston for sightseeing and entertainment.
Operated by Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute, Camp Bob Cooper also hosts rental groups, year-round environmental education classes and more.
For more information about Spring Crew Training, contact George “Beau” Mongold at (803) 460-3233 or gmongol@clemson.edu, or visit online at www.clemson.edu/yli/crew.