:: USA Gymnastics :: Rhythmic Developmental Team Camp

Brooke Bushnell Toohey, Future Star Coordinator, was nine months pregnant and organized the camp. This year we had an entirely new staff! The National Team ballet instructor, Sonya taught our young group ballet! The gymnasts really enjoyed working with her and were honored they were given the opportunity. Marina Eremenko, Bibi Iontchev & Natasha Lojevsky were our rhythmic experts who taught everything from basic equipment handling, body skills, group, conditioning and dance! Most of the gymnast’s personal coaches attended the camp to not only learn new ideas for training their athletes but to also work together and share their expertise and knowledge of the sport.

The gymnasts trained seven hours a day and at night had fun activities! The most creative activity this year was, name that gymnast. The staff printed out photos of past top US & International rhythmic gymnasts and the girls had to identify who they were. It was not only fun but also educational since some of the photos were from gymnasts in the 90’s.

The camp was very productive and the gymnasts seemed to also have fun. The girls left tired but inspired to prepare for the upcoming season! We want to thank the staff, coaches and athletes for all their hard work and help at the camp. Each year we hope to make improvements to the Future Star Program and the camp experience. Thank you everyone for your support and hope to see you all next year!

2008 Future Stars Camp Wrap Up

The 2008 Future Star Camp took place September 25-30 at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. This year instead of snow we were greeted with the beautiful colors of fall.

The Future Star Team was made up of 40 gymnasts this year (10 more than last year) because 175 gymnasts attended the 3 test sites. (100 more than in years past) 39 of the 40 gymnasts attended the camp.

Brooke Bushnell Toohey, Future Star Coordinator, led our staff. This year we had a new ballet instructor Michela Boschetto. She trained in Italy and is currently the Director of the Olympic Center School of Ballet in Lake Placid, NY. She did an amazing job with the girls and had them loving her & ballet by the end of the 4 days! Mila Harty, Iryna Zhurenko & Valentina Kevlian were our rhythmic experts who taught everything from basic equipment handling, body skills, group, conditioning and lots more! Most of the gymnasts’ personal coaches attended the camp to not only learn new ideas for training their athletes but also to work together and share their expertise and knowledge of the sport.

This year we had a new fun activity that took us to the US Olympic Ice Rink. Michela the ballet instructor and her husband Gilberto invited us to watch their team of ice skaters practice. We had a great time and also were lucky to get an unsuspecting surprise. There was an older couple on the ice that some of the Russian coaches thought they recognized. They were correct; it was the famous Russian Ice Skaters Oleg Protopopov & Lyudmila Belousova. They won Olympic Gold in 1964 & 1968. They were kind enough to spend time talking with us, taking photos and signing autographs. The gymnasts, coaches & parents had the time of their lives!

The camp was a huge success this year. The athletes left wanting more and inspired to go home and continue their hard work so they can have a successful year. We want to thank the staff, coaches and athletes for all their hard work and help at the camp. Each year we hope to make improvements to the Future Star Program and the camp experience. Thank you everyone for your support and hope to see you all next year!

2007 Future Stars Camp Wrap Up

The 2007 Future Star Camp took place November 27- December 2 at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. The gymnasts & coaches were again greeted with snow and very cold weather. It didn’t seem to bother anyone: any chance the gymnasts had they were out playing in the snow!

This year the team consisted of 26 gymnasts from all over the US. Our staff was led by Brooke Bushnell Toohey, Rhythmic Development Coordinator. Mila Hardy was our rhythmic expert who taught everything from conditioning to basic equipment handling & body skills. Stan Picus was our ballet instructor. Most of the gymnasts’ personal coaches attended the camp not only to learn new ideas for training their athletes but also to work together and share their expertise and knowledge of the sport.

Each morning began with a ballet class that focused on basic ballet technique and ballet terminology. The gymnasts worked really hard and by the last day showed big improvements in their technique and knowledge of ballet. The rest of the three hour practice focused on equipment technique with Brooke and Mila. The second three hour practice began each day with a new conditioning warm-up learned at the Jr. National Team Camp from a guest coach from Russia. Always following this was concentration on passes and body skills. While continuing equipment technique, Brooke reviewed routine composition to offer judging perspective. Some days we even had time for working on Group, which all the gymnasts seemed to love! We also added an extra day of training this year which worked out great for absorbing all they learned. Each night after dinner we had activities: movie night, arts and crafts night and journal writing so everyone could take time to remember everything they learned and the corrections they were receiving.

All in all the camp was a fun, wonderful learning experience. We want to thank the staff, coaches and athletes for all their hard work and help at the camp. Each year we strive to improve them Future Star Program and camp experience. Thank you everyone for your support and see you all in 2008!

2006 Future Stars Camp Wrap Up

The 2006 Future Stars Camp took place again at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. on September 24-28. The staff and coaches were excited to have beautiful sunny weather this year, while the gymnasts were disappointed that they couldn’t run and play in the snow.

The 2006 Future Stars Team consisted of 30 gymnasts from all over the USA. 28 gymnasts were able to attend this three day camp which was lead by Brooke Bushnell Toohey, Future Stars Director. Our staff again consisted of Stan Picus, ballet & dance instructor, plus coaches Mila Hardy & Iliana Ivanova. They focused on all the apparatus handling, stretching, body technique and conditioning. Most of the gymnast’s personal coaches were able to attend the camp. This enabled them to not only learn, but share their own expertise & knowledge of the sport with one another. The gymnasts were able to train six hours a day which gave them time to absorb what they were taught by our great staff and coaches.

The coaches and athletes were also fortunate to have a session with sports psychologist Mara Smith. She was able to help the athletes and coaches work through feelings and emotions they have at practice and competition. Teaching communication early on helps avoid problems later on in their careers and lives.

Nights were filled with fun activities like arts and crafts. This kept the girls busy and let them have more time to get to know each other. We made signs for their doors and thank you notes for all the OTC and USAG staff.

The 2006 Future Stars Camp was fun and successful again this year. We want to thank the staff, coaches and athletes for all their hard work. We hope that everyone enjoyed the experience and that next year we can continue to grow and improve our Future Stars Camp and Program.

2005 Camp report

The 2005 Future Star Camp took place December 7-11, 2005 at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. This year the team consisted of 24 gymnasts from all over the US. Our staff was led by Brooke Bushnell Toohey, JO director. Stan Picus was our new ballet instructor while top coaches Mila Hardy and Iliana Ivanova taught everything from apparatus handling to conditioning. Most of the gymnast's personal coaches attended the camp to not only learn new ideas for training their athletes but to also work together and share their expertise and knowledge of the sport...

2004 Future Stars and Elite Future Stars Camp Wrap Up

The 2004 Future Star and Elite Future Star camp just took place at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. This year we decided to split up the camp into two groups so the gymnasts would receive more individual attention. The staff, which consisted of National Team Coordinator Efrossina Anguelova, Jessica Howard, Mila Hardy and Brooke Toohey, all agreed that the small numbers made for a very productive camp. Many of the personal coaches attended the camp to learn new ideas on stretching, ballet, body skills, handling of the apparatus and conditioning. We also invited the personal coaches to help in the teaching process. By doing this it enabled the gymnasts to work with many different styles and helped the coaches bond with each other as well as other gymnasts. The camp experience was positive and productive and everyone seemed to leave with a smile on their face and the determination to go back home and work hard for next years competitive season.

The Future Star program continues to be a work in progress. We are making changes to the program after each year until all of its flaws are ironed out. We hope that more and more gymnasts will participate in the years to come so we can provide more camps for new gymnasts and coaches in the future. A special thanks to all of the hard working gymnasts, coaches and staff that attended the camp! Good luck to all, and we hope you have a great 2005 season!
Happy Holidays,
Brooke B. Toohey

2003 Camp Wrap-Up

The 2003 Future Stars Camp was held this weekend at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center. Twenty athletes participated from the 2003 Future Stars Development Team. On staff this year were retired athletes, Jessica Howard and Taryn Look. The athletes were thrilled to have Jessica and Taryn working with them in the sessions. National Team Coordinator, Efrossina Anguelova was there to work hands on with the athletes as well. The coaches and athletes went away from a full weekend having learned a great deal and making new friends. Mary Sanders was also there for the weekend training right along beside the girls. Mary is in the middle of the spring international competition season and leaves this week for France.

2002 Future Stars Camp

The first Future Stars Camp took place at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center. The first of a two day camp was full of fun and hard work. Efrossina Anguelova, National Team Coordinator, along with the other staff; Brooke Bushnell, Mila Harty and Russell Warfield made the long day educational as well as fun. When asked, the girls said the favorite session of the day was the hour and a half Jazz dance session taught by Russell Warfield. Although the athletes wanted to be sure the other staff knew they liked their sessions too!