The Tribune

Since the early 1990s, Nassau 'Nastics has been offering a cool summer camp programme for youths who are excited about the sport of gymnastics. And this year is no exception.

The nine-week long summer programme began on Monday and is scheduled to run 9am to 2pm daily.

The camp is expected to be filled with enthusiastic kids from the age of five and up.

Every year, the club's team of warm, friendly, qualified camp instructors introduce the eager learners to gymnastics in a safe and fun-filled environment, ensuring a great camp experience.

"For some of them, it is their very first gymnastics training and often they are back in September to enroll in the Nassau 'Nastics regular fall programme. There is room for all in this gymnastics summer camp. The students are grouped by age and ability level," said a press release.

The students are encouraged with positive reinforcements and are more than happy to learn new skills or, for some of them, to learn to execute skills they may already have, with better co-ordination and precision.

"Yes, from the front rollers to the cartwheelers, and the occasional backflippers who learned at home on a mattress, these kids all show so much potential. By the end of this summer camp programme the students have generally all made major improvements," said the release.

As a part of this year's summer camp, Nassau 'Nastics will be introducing 'Hip-Hop Wednesdays'.

Dance and music has always been a part of the culture here in the Bahamas. It also plays a major role in the sport of gymnastics. The Nassau 'Nastics coaches encourage this creativity.

Campers are allowed to express themselves with creative movement which is often incorporated into the gymnastics skills they are learning. Hip- hop classes are included in the club's regular programme during the school year.

As a result, major improvements have been seen in the gymnasts' ability to be expressive and entertaining when performing.

To follow tradition, the students are treated to 'Fun Fieldtrip Fridays' at the end of each week.

The club's planned field trips include visits to historical sites on the island, educational experiences and also creative and entertaining experiences.

Nassau 'Nastics has two convenient locations. One gym is located in the Oakes Field Shopping Centre beside the Nassau Guardian and in the east at the Seagrapes Shopping Centre.

The summer programme will definitely make an impression on both you and your kid(s). Organisers say they are bound to have lots of fun, exercise, adventure and entertainment over the long and hot summer break while learning gymnastics.