Summer sports camps work to keep kids safe – Western Mass News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Western Mass News is learning how local summer camps are keeping kids cool.
We went to American International College’s Youth Football Camp Monday. The kids were having a great time out on the field despite the heat and the coaches were making sure the young athletes stayed safe and hydrated by bringing them inside every 45 minutes to cool down with athletic trainers on standby. We spoke with AIC’s football coach Dan Chipka Monday morning and not too long after we spoke, he let us know that once the wet bulb temperature hit 86% humidity, they brought the kids inside and moved the rest of the day’s activities into the gym.
Coach Chipka shared some of the other ways they were making sure the athletes stayed safe before it was time to head inside: “We’re taking consistent water breaks you know about every 15-20 minutes, we’re breaking under the shade tent for ice water and Powerade, we’re also going inside every hour, really every 45 minutes, and we’re mobilizing the troops into the gymnasium. I learned in the state of Ohio, when you get inclement weather and certainly here when you have the dramatic spikes in temperatures, your football clinic can turn into a basketball clinic really quick.”
Tonight, on Western Mass News at 6:00, we are hearing from other coaches at local sports camps to see how they are keeping the people you know in attendance safe.
If you’d like to sign up your youth football player for next year’s camp at AIC, Coach Chipka said sign-ups typically start a few months out during the springtime. A link to their website can be found HERE.
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