From the athletics fields to the wilderness and back to the comfort of the classroom, Christian Brothers Academy 2010 Summer Sizzle camps offered something for everyone in July and August. Hundreds of students from all over Central New York participated in academic and athletic camps and workshops put on by various CBA coaches and faculty members.

Spencer McConnell ’16 (of Syracuse), Ms. Albicelli, Shylea Dukat, Emily Humphrey, and Claire Bailey’14 (of LaFayette)

On the newly-refurbished athletic fields, CBA held football, soccer and lacrosse camps, coached by CBA Joe Casamento, Joe Papleo ’75, and Chris Scanlon and Eric Knuth, respectively. Todd Benware and Matt Keough gave an Infielders’ Camp on the St. Denis baseball diamond, as well. And, the 18th Annual “Mr. B’s Skills and Drills” drew a great crowd to recently retired faculty member Gary Barnaba’s popular basketball camp.

For those looking for something a little more adventurous, Eric Knuth coordinated a Wilderness Leadership Camp focusing on various survival techniques and leadership development. Over 30 students, ranging in age from 11 to 17, explored the outdoors surrounding the CBA campus and learned how to be safe and survive in the wild in any conditions. Campers practiced fire building, basic mountaineering, wood craft, shelter building, natural camouflage, foraging for food, first aid skills, and gathering and purifying water. By the end of the week the students developed skills that will make them safer and more confident while enjoying the great outdoors in Central NY.

Inside CBA, students had a variety of opportunities to improve their skills and get a jump on the school year ahead. At the College Essay Workshop, Vicki Mannion guided 15 rising seniors through the process of writing their personal statement for their college applications. The Academic Skills Writing Camp, also coordinated by Mannion, allowed incoming 7th and 8th grade students to improve their written word with business letters, video game reviews and a character study based on summer reading.

Jennifer Albicelli also offered Creative Writing Camp as part of the program. To inspire their writing, students took field trips to Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia, the Maxfield Parrish exhibit at the Everson Museum of Art, St. Marie Among the Iroquois, Green Lakes State Park and the Federal Courthouse. And, Michael Marciano offered Start Smart Study Skills to incoming 7th graders preparing for the rigorous CBA curriculum.