February 27, 2013 Dear Campers, Thank you for your feedback!
Your opinion matters, and although this letter and
response to the 2012 survey is anything but timely it is sincere. As the camp coordinator, I’d like to address some of the changes that are taking place as a result of the survey, answer some repeating questions, and hopefully explain why some questions are NOT answered. Summer Black Belt Camp is a powerful experience, and has strong emotional ties to many in leadership positions. With all of us sharing lineage to Grandmaster Son, and many of us having attended his camps at Storm King Mountain School, best efforts are made to be true to this original spirit.
One the home page of www.SummerBlackBeltCamp.com, the purpose
and creed of camp is stated, but note that words aren’t enough to replicate the spirit of camp. Defining the culture of SBBC has been a great challenge by all with a leadership role at camp. In the survey there was a high amount of feedback in six areas, and I’ve attempted to address the general concerns for each as follows: 1) Miscellaneous: We will be implementing a First Aid Tent which will be operated by paid University Staff. This tent will give any injured campers privacy thus decreasing social pressure to return to the workout. 2) T-shirts: Survey results are mixed regarding dry-fit/cotton. We will be offering dry-fit shirts on odd years and 100% cotton shirts on even years. 3) Facilities: I’ve shared the survey feedback with university management and have personally discussed these concerns as well: Comments in red are from Susquehanna University. Comments in blue are mine. A/C in room was barely working. Last year’s dorms were better. Overall camp was great! We will hope this summer isn’t quite as hot and muggy, the air should be fine. ½ refrigerator is not adequate for 10 people. I am not sure why 10 people would be using one small refrigerator. The West Village suites sleep only 3 or 4 people and each of the suites have a small refrigerator, making it 3-4 people per refrigerator. Remember campers, we’re not staying at a hotel. Be prepared; bring a cooler with ice. Dorm rooms must have laundry machines. Laundry machines are in the lower level of each dorm and must be accessed with a credit card
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Beds very uncomfortable; We cannot do anything about this, if attendees want to they can bring their own pillow top or memory top. (Does anyone remember sleeping on the cots in the wrestling room at Storm King?) Air conditioning didn’t work. addressed above Floor in gym hurt feet, prefer hardwood The gym has hardwood, the field house has the other stuff. (Some people don’t complain about the field house floor. Is it the floor’s fault or the way people more their feet?) Many dorm beds were in poor condition. Addressed above Get a sprinkler for the field so the grass doesn’t stab and burn our feet. I can mention this to Facilities (It’s Summer Black Belt Camp folks!) Bunk bed was really not expected – not good! We can have all beds unbunked Food is a bit heavy – bit too much meat and potatoes. There are salad bar options (Requests made to SU to keep food geared towards more athletic minded campers.) Need better laundry access. Addressed above (Really recommend being prepared with more clothing so you don’t need to do laundry) The A/C in our rooms was not working, besides that Great camp! Addressed above Coffee Yes, we hear you and for the week that your group is on campus, they will research now and see if they can bring some packets in of a different/better brand. (This issue was addressed numerous times with University staff. I am cautiously optimistic.) 4) Weather Related: As a result of the 2011 survey we implemented a heat index contingency plan, and we also had a misting tent and water station prepared. Since the weather was relatively mild, the misting tent was never set up. Both the index and tent will be available for use in 2013. 5) Social Activities: Not only will youth be separated from the adults for the Saturday night social, but all youth will be housed with parents/legal guardians in one dorm. There will also be a Black Belt test on Friday night for 2013. 6) Workout Content:
Workout content and intensity will remain the same and in
accordance with the camp mission statement. Please note that scheduling of workouts is constrained by the meal service availability (They won’t serve us dinner at 7pm).
If you had a specific survey comment that you would like answered directly please ask your instructor first and then email me. We are also making some other changes for 2013 which although are not directly tied to the survey, they may answer some lingering concerns. 1) A Financial Committee is being formed for 2014 to set line item budgets for the Camp Coordinator and to assist with insurance evaluations. Jim Goldsmith will be chair for 2014.
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2) A Survey Committee is being formed for 2013 which will coordinate written surveys, first hand reporting, and most importantly; make sure the camp coordinator responds to the survey in a timely manner. Pete Michaelson will be chair for 2013.
In closing, as camp coordinator I feel that my primary responsibility is to make sure SBBC is a quality camp; according to our mission statement, and truthful to the spirit of our roots. I hope I’ve addressed the major concerns in the survey and wish I could answer every single one. In fact this was attempted, but not practical. I did learn from the survey that SBBC doesn’t meet everyone’s expectations, but the goal isn’t to provide something for everyone. SBBC is physically challenging, mentally tough, and a test of one’s spirit. It is my sincere hope that ALL campers reach inside themselves and enjoy these challenges, and that twenty years from now people will look back upon these past few years’ camps with the same nostalgia that some have for Grandmaster Son’s.
Sincerely,
Frank Coppola
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