‘A PERFECT WEEKEND’
Well, after returning home from the sec- ond annual National Program Components Camp as an Athlete Advisory Committee (AAC) assistant and volunteer, I can tell you that that definition couldn’t be closer to the feeling I had when I left the camp. Since joining the AAC a few years ago, I
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have cherished the feeling of knowing that I am giving back to a sport and an organization that has provided me with so many unforget- table moments and experiences throughout my career. And when presented with the op- portunity to potentially make a difference in peoples’ lives, I typically don’t even give it a second thought. Giving back and volun- teering is my way of saying thank you and showing my appreciation for everything that people in this wonderful organization have afforded me. One afternoon in late February, I opened
up my computer and saw an e-mail from U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters and diligently read it just as I do all its mail. I was asked to volunteer as an AAC assistant coach at the second National Program Components Camp, and after quickly glancing at my cal- endar to make sure there were no conflicts, I, without hesitation thought to myself, “Yes, absolutely.” In retrospect, the year before, which was also the inaugural camp, I recalled seeing photos and videos and saw how much fun was had by the participants, the coaches and the assistants alike. Remembering all these things brought an instantaneous feeling of excitement about this opportunity. Excite- ment aside, I also was honored and humbled to be asked to participate, as only a limited number of AAC members are offered the chance.
When I arrived in Cleveland, a feeling of
excitement and anxiety came over me simply because I didn’t know what to expect, and because working with groups of 20-plus kids at a time that you don’t know in the slightest tends to bring on some nervousness. How- ever, it certainly didn’t take long for those anxious feelings of skaters, coaches and assis- tants to dissipate. As we all became more and more comfortable, we all had more and more fun, and by the end of the second day, I was quite honestly disappointed that it had come and gone so quickly.
During the opening presentation and
introduction, I sat up on the stage with my fellow AAC assistants and peers, and I gazed around the room into the crowd of skaters and parents and realized how fortunate I
34 JUNE/JULY 2012
hen we think of the word volunteer, what comes to mind is a person with an intention of making the lives of others better, right?
COMPONENTS CAMP OFFERED A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK by DOUG RAZZANO
was to be sitting with such an accomplished group of people. Not only that, Tanith Bel- bin, the host of the evening and also a head coach at the camp, spoke eloquently about her Olympic experience and about the transi- tion from her competitive days into her new role as a coach and choreographer. I, along with everyone else in the room,
was moved and inspired by her speech. From there, the weekend moved through seam- lessly and at the end of the camp on Sunday evening, all eight of the groups performed their respective group numbers that were choreographed for them in front of their par- ents, friends, and us, the faculty. It was a perfect ending to a perfect week-
end of fun. As I traveled home, I realized that this was just another one of those unforget- table experiences that U.S. Figure Skating has afforded me. I also felt a huge sense of pride knowing I had given back to the sport that I love so much. So, with gratitude, I thank the staff, the skaters and the faculty for this experi- ence, which is one I will remember for a long time.
Youngsters at the National Program Components Camp deliver some attitude.
AAC assistant Doug Razzano and camp coach Tanith Belbin
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