North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Gives Back to Local Gymnastics Community
6/19/2015 12:18:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
The NC State gymnastics team gives back by coaching at summer camps
RALEIGH, N.C.- Despite being in the midst of summer training, the NC State gymnastics team has taken the time to give back to its local community by serving as camp coaches at the 2015 Wolfpack gymnastics camps.
With the first week of camp in the books, the time the campers spend on campus not only allows them to learn about the sport but also get to know the girls that make up NC State gymnastics.
"It's a lot of fun to see the kids and get to know them. They really look up to us, so just getting to know them and finding out that they enjoy spending time with us is a great feeling," said rising senior Aubrey Hine, a third-year veteran working as a counselor at this year's camps.
For camp coach Sami Circeo, a rising sophomore on the squad, this summer marks her first time being on the coaching side as she participated as a camper in previous years.
"I attended the camp for two years before coming to NC State, so it's neat to be on the other side and coach the kids now. I was in a group with some of the older girls that were here this week, and on the first day they remembered doing camps with me in the past," Circeo said.
For several of the youngsters that attend the summer camps, this isn't the only time of the year they interact with the NC State gymnastics team. Many support their idols throughout the year by watching competitions held inside Reynolds Coliseum.
"A lot of little kids come out to our meets, and they love watching us perform and seeing us after the meets. They all knew our names on the first day of camp," Circeo said.
"It's neat to see kids at these camps, then again at meets when they come through the line at our autograph session," Hine added. "It makes them feel great too when we tell them that we remember working with them at the camps. It's cool to be able to pick them out and remember who they are."
As part of the girls' experience at camp, several activities are set up outside of the time spent at the gym to give the youngsters an opportunity to not only bond with their camp coaches but also with each other.
"Outside of time at the gym we have activities set up like a water balloon toss and games in the pool. We also do a spa night where we paint their nails and the girls do our make up, which can get interesting," Hine said.
Players Mentioned
