Aspire Camp Inspires Skaters

The Greater Green Bay Figure Skating Club uses the Aspire camp model to encourage its learn to skate members to try out new disciplines

When building your Aspire program, you can choose from several schedule formats. You can incorporate the program into your weekly sessions, or you can choose from a week-long or day-long camp. The type of schedule you decide on depends on your goals for your program and its skaters.

The Greater Green Bay Figure Skating Club chose the day camp format as a way to boost their U.S. Figure Skating introductory memberships while introducing skaters to synchronized skating, ice dance and more.

“Because the membership year renews in July, we try to do the camp around then,” said GGBFSC president and learn to skate director Sarah Schoen. “So if someone wants to become an introductory member, they can start with the camp.”

Held in August 2020 and 2021, the 2021 camp welcomed 20 skaters to learn more about various areas of figure skating. The day started out off the ice with the National Dynamic Warm-Up, and the skaters took to the ice for edge classes. The day ends with some open skating and an off-ice activity, including stretching.

“It’s a full day of excitement,” Schoen said. “This is the kids’ first time learning about ice dance and synchro, so they’re very interested in learning about that.”

The intro to synchro class was a favorite among the students. Many of those who joined the figure skating club joined one of the club’s KICKS synchro teams.

“A lot of the skaters are interested in the intro to synchro class,” Schoen said. “A lot of these skaters that are going to Aspire are younger, so they stick around and continue to do the synchro program for a longer time.”

While GGBFSC doesn’t hold Aspire camps year-round, Schoen said there are plans of adding another one during the busy winter season.

“We just want to keep growing the program and getting the kids inspired to join the club and do many of the things you can do with U.S. Figure Skating.”

U.S. Figure Skating provides a robust suite of resources to plan a comprehensive Aspire program. The resources portal features editable schedules for full- and half-day camps as well as weekly sessions. Clubs and programs can also use information from various guides, like an intro to synchro and edge class examples.

To learn more about the Aspire program, visit usfigureskating.org/aspire.