Merry Christmas Wayne from 2011: The Wayne Dittbrenner Football Camp

For my 2011 Christmas gift to Wayne, I gave him the gift of football immortality, by creating the Wayne Dittbrenner Football Camp.  As a follow up to last year's blog post I wanted to write about the experience we had hosting the 1st Wayne Dittbrenner Football Camp.

Overall the camp was a great success and all of the kids had a lot of fun. It was fun to see each of the kids and learn more about their personalities.  I was very pleased with how the cousins interacted and especially impressed with how encouraging Brighton was with the younger kids.  He really made an effort to be encouraging especially to Houston.  Connor is a natural born Quarterback.  He likes being in charge and calling the plays.  Cole demonstrated a lot of fight and a willingness to keep trying.  If he didn't catch the first pass, he didn't get discouraged, instead he kept trying until he caught one.  This makes sense when you look at the challenges he has faced in his life.  I think a kid with less fight would have thrown in the towel by now. But instead Cole keeps fighting through all the doctors appointments and health problems.  Tara is a natural athlete and was clearly conflicted with whether to keep playing football or to go play on the playground with her friends.  She was definitely having fun and playing well, but seemed to feel a little out of place as the only girl.  Houston had a great time, and is learning how to hold his own as the youngest of the bunch, and all of the other kids were great to include him.

Favorite shot here is the team huddle (bottom center).

It was also a lot of fun to see Bill out there on the field with the kids showing off his moves.  I learned that old Billy is more athletic than he lets on.

Top Left: Billy showing off his skills
Bottom Right: Connor taking charge in the huddle

I wish that I would have been able to host the camp on a day when all of the kids were out here so that more of the cousins could participate, but I think that the kids that were able to attend had a good time.

Merry Christmas Wayne.  The camp was a great success. The kids and I all thought of you and wished you were there.  Love Hock