Summer Camp, Pom Style

Dropping Abby off at Northwood at 7:30am. That was rough.

What up, Fam.

So this week saw us dropping off Abby at Northwood University (here in Midland) for a four-day Pom Camp, sponsored by. . . you know, one of those regional pom associations that we're always shooting money to.

(Not that any of the hundreds of dollars we've spent this year on pom went towards the $700 we had to shell out for this summer camp, of course.)

The entire Midland JV and Varsity Pom teams came out for this, along with about a dozen other high school teams, and they all stayed in Northwood's dorms for the week. Meals were provided (damn straight considering how much this stupid camp cost) and most mornings and afternoons the girls spent learning and drilling new pom routines. In the evenings, parents and families were allowed to come to the college athletic center and watch the schools perform the new routines (each day saw the teams learning a new one, so it was a different showcase every day.) 

The final day of the camp happened to be the same day that I had to leave to pick up Bryan Rowley from the MBS airport for our extended Eight Point visit, so I had to peace out of that final showcase a little early, but I was still able to watch Abby and her team's final performance. Sadly, there are no showcase videos in this post, as the routine videos were all too long to upload here to Blogger, and our vantage point on the sidelines were pretty bad every day. My apologies.

So here you go, folks - a brief look at Abby's four-day pom camp at Northwood.

Enjoy. . .

The girls got to choose their dorm roommates, so of course Abby and Ella paired up again.

Us and the Johnsons helped the girls get situated in their spartan, living accommodations (they had to supply their own bedding, towels, and everything else.)

These mattresses were NOT comfortable. And the room was about 120 degrees.

View of some random courtyard from their dorm room window.

Ella will be recovering from her meniscus (or something) surgery until November or December, so she wouldn't be competing or practicing this week. Still, as a member of the pom team she's required to attend all of these events, and she just kind of serves as a coach assistant.

Just like my old dorm room at Western Michigan University, Abby and Ella's room shares a bathroom with an adjoining room.

Abby and her bed. She choose this set up, folks - neglecting a comforter, a sheet, etc. Whatever floats your boat, kid.

Each pair of girls created signs for their dorm room, I guess as a 'team bonding' activity and for girls on the team to be able to find their teammates easily on the floor.

Not a lot of pictures of actual pom practices and performances to be found, here - I got all these pics off Abby's Google Photos account. You get what you get, guys.

Abby and Nica.

At practice (I assume.)

Antics at practice. . .

The Squad.

At the end of each day of the camp, the people who put it on would take a team picture showing the girls - and that day's designated shirt - and then send it out to all the parents and families.

Day Two. Abby, Nica, aaaaaand some other team member.

Abby and Nica, once again (not sure if this is at the end of the day or at the ass-crack of dawn.)

Day Two team pic.

Harper, Ella, and a couple other teammates on Day Three.

Day Three pic.

The final day of the camp, after the closing performance. Abby and some of the trainers that work at the camp. . .

. . . and with whoever the hell these two are.

And one final team pic for the week. First year at Pom Camp in the books.

- Brian

Pom-tastic

Ella and Abby with the Northeast Pom Squad

Hey Internet,

So Houghs, as it is well-known, aren't usually thought of as 'athletes.'  Sure, some of us exercise - running, biking, walking, my brother does Crossfit, I guess. . . but the only time any Hough has ever participated in a team sport was back in the late '90s when I used to ski for Clare High School.  Of course, Abby played soccer for one season, but that was when she was, like, six. . . they didn't even have frickin' goalies, so we really can count that.

Assembling and practicing behind the school before the game.

Well, this year Abby joined the ranks of actual school sports, taking up Poms for Northeast, along with her BFF, Ella.  The two of them were both a little nervous about undertaking this, but so long as the other was also doing it, they motivated each other into giving it a shot.  After a few practices, they both quickly fell in love with it, and today, dear readers, they had their first performance (during halftime at a home football game.)

I wasn't able to go to this, due to my own school's Curriculum Night, but Kris and the Johnson's hooked us all up with some pictures and videos of the girls' performance.

Enjoy. . .

Older sister photobombs again. . .

Erik shared these pictures with us - not sure who took them (it wasn't Kris or the Johnsons), but whoever it was had an SLR, that's for sure.

Ella gets serious.

For whatever reason, our two girls are always right up front and center with everything they ever do together.

Starting the routine. . .

(Erik's vantage point, a little farther back up in the stands.)

The Northeast Fight Song.  They're a little rusty, but not too bad for their first time.

Some random kid (I think this chick used to be in the girls' Girl Scout Troop), Ella, and Abby

Showing off some Viking nails (yes, in case you were wondering, Courtney and Ella came over to our house last night so all four ladies could do their nails together for the big game.)

The Viking Pom Team. . . squinting into the sun like weirdos.

- Brian