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Comment by Shaun Anderson on June 20, 2011 at 6:15pm

Eastern Zone Diversity Camp
This past weekend the Mid-Atlantic LSC diversity committee hosted the first Eastern Zone Diversity Camp at La Salle University.  With the purpose of instilling a vision of success and inspiring athletes from ethnically under-represented populations to become leaders in the sport of swimming.   Each participating LSC selected two athletes from a diverse cultural group and one LSC Rep they wished to represent.  The three day camp included a combination of pool training, motivational and education sessions, networking and strategic planning sessions for members of each LSC, and team building activities.  

This year’s camp coaching staff was headed by University of Pittsburgh Assistant Coach Tanica Jamison.  Tanica was also a participant in the first National Outreach Camp along with Miriam Lynch who managed and coached this week.  They were assisted by John Yearwood and Crosby Treadwell.  Guest speakers included: Iconic Coach Jim Ellis, 2000 Olympian Maddy Crippen,  Innovative Coach Arthur Lopez and Diversity Specialist Marc Brenman.

The goals of the zone diversity camps are to empower athletes from ethnically under represented populations and their LSC representatives to:
Demonstrate the viability of multicultural success in swimming with their local LSC
Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport
Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming
Be positive leaders and role models that others from multicultural backgrounds can emulate
To connect, network and promote the virtues of the sport of swimming through a comprehensive strategy involving the athletes, coaches and LSC Diversity Chairs in their own local LSC’s and throughout the zone.
  
Philadelphia, PA - Eastern Zone Diversity Camp Day 1
Day 1 of camp is always a mix of joy, transportation coordination and check in.  But after everyone settled in our awesome staff got down to business with Arthur Lopez and Marc Brenman leading up a dynamic classroom learning experience for the week, and head coach Tanica Jamison along with Miriam Lynch, John Yearwood and Crosby Treadwell putting the kids through the paces in the water.  The first day always sets the tone which carries throughout the camp....the kids are doing really well so far.  

 Philadelphia, PA - Eastern Zone Diversity Camp Day 2
How lucky can you be?  Two dynamic guest speakers starting with 2000 Olympian Maddy Crippen in the afternoon.  Maddy was awesome, down to earth and dynamic.  She embodies and relates to the kids what it takes to get there and how to carry yourself when you arrive. Priceless!
Later that night Mr. Jamie Platt, Assistant Swim Coach of La Salle University afforded us the opportunity to show the movie Pride in the campus movie theater.   We even had popcorn!  Following the movie the man himself Mr. Jim Ellis came and addressed the kids.  One of the best coaches in the sport, an icon who is largely responsible for the camp itself.  This comes full circle with this year’s Head Coach Tanica Jamison as an athlete in the first National Outreach Camp.   Here is where we are starting to gain some steam in the words of Coach Ellis, “ The camp works.”   What a great example of momentum with Tanica now being a Division I assistant coach at the helm.  A shining example of what can come from hard work and goal setting (and I have a feeling she’s not done yet)  

Philadelphia, PA - Eastern Zone Diversity Camp Day 3  
Danielle Strader stopped by this morning to talk with the group before morning workout.  She shared with them her accomplishments and what the sport means to her.  She now coaches with the ideology in making sure you’re working hard and having fun.  Just for the record her accomplishments to name a few include: