July 15, 2011

South Carolina head coach Beverly Smith and staff wrapped up their first summer of camps this week, so GamecocksOnline.com decided to ask some of their players who worked the camps about those experiences. So, here are what the Gamecocks say are their favorite parts about working camps.

Julie Sarratt: My favorite part of camp was watching the girls improve from day to day. The girls were great, and we had lots of fun! 🙂

Chelsea Hawkins: Workin with the kids definitely! It’s so awesome to go back and teach kids the things you have learned, the things you have worked so hard to achieve. Especially knowing you were in their shoes at one time, seeing the love of the game, and the love for us, as players, in their eyes. It means the world to me to see the look in their eyes when you are talking to them and congratulating them. It’s just another one of those things that makes me want to be a coach even more. And nothing makes me happier than to correct them, and see them do something right and the smile that comes on their face. I love it!

Evan Childs: I love kids and enjoy helping them grow as players and young girls. I love seeing kids get better! I love seeing their faces after they do something right and are praised for it! We always say we love playing the game for the little girl aspiring to be just like us, and that’s why we all love working with the campers!

Hannah Milks: I enjoyed seeing the older girls work hard to really take their game to the next level. They listened intently, kept open minds, and tried their best to take our advice and put it into action. My favorite part of the younger camp was watching some of the girls demonstrate pure creativity after lunchtime when they performed their own dance routine. Then, we all got up and did the cha cha slide!! It was one of my best memories of the whole summer! I love Carolina softball camp!

Kierstyn White: All the kids are so excited to be there, and it’s just fun to get to work with them and help them out.

Molly Brossart: During the year when I worked them, I loved hanging out with the kids and helping improve their skills. It’s a way to give back to a game that has given us all so much. Plus getting to goof around with my amazing teammates all day is a PLUS!

Samie Garcia: My favorite part about working the camps was seeing my teammates. I haven’t seen them since May, and I missed them all so much. Another favorite part of mine was working with the campers. They were all so nice and sweet. They really look up to us, so it was awesome giving back to the game that we all love.