SMU to host two volleyball camps

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University will host two girls’ volleyball camps July 20-31 for students entering grades six through 12 in the fall.



This first camp, “Session I,” is for girls entering grades six through eight and will be held Sunday, July 20, through Thursday, July 24. The second camp, “Session II,” is for girls entering grades nine through 12 and will be held Sunday, July 27, through Thursday, July 31.



These camps provide a great experience for players who want intense work in a competitive atmosphere. Seventy-five percent of the focus will be on individual skills, and the other 25 percent will be on team play. Mike Lester, SMU’s head volleyball coach, will lead this camp with the assistance of SMU women’s volleyball team members.



For commuters, rates are $375 before April 15 and $400 after April 15. Residential rates are $425 and $450. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps by June 27. This registration fee includes lodging and meals, as well as access to the Recreation and Athletics Center, indoor pool, weight room, dance studio, hiking trails, disc golf course, track and soccer complex, ropes course and more. For more information, call (507) 457-6921.

Former Olympic soccer coach coaches Winona youth groups

Tony DiCicco, former head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Olympic Soccer Teams, is pictured with the WYSA girls.

WINONA, Minn. — Winona-area girls soccer players scored some personal coaching from Tony DiCicco, former head coach of the U.S. women’s national and Olympic soccer teams. DiCicco coached a portion of the SoccerPlus camp, held June 16-22, on the Saint Mary’s University campus.

The CEO and founder of SoccerPlus, DiCicco also brought in soccer coaches with international experience to work with approximately 20 residential campers. He also worked with a group of Winona Youth Soccer Association girls June 17 at the Saint Mary’s campus.

DiCicco is the former head coach of the U.S. women’s national and Olympic soccer teams and the head coach of the U.S. U20 women’s national team. In 2008, in his return to international soccer, he coached the U.S. to the FIFA U20 World Cup championship in Chile. He also led the full national team to the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship, the largest women’s sporting event in history. And in 1996, he coached the U.S. women’s Olympic team to the first-ever gold medal in women’s soccer.

DiCicco plans to return to Winona next year to continue training young Winona-area athletes.

SMU to host boys’, girls’ diving camp July 11-15

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is hosting a boys’ and girls’ diving camp on Sunday, July 11, through Thursday, July 15, for students entering grades six through 12 in the fall.

This camp will consist of four days of intense training. Each day will include both dry and wet training programs. Sessions will also include extensive stretching, conditioning and spotting courses. JJ Jackson, SMU’s head diving coach, and Rob Murray, head coach and director of KidSport Gymnastics Center, will coach these sessions.

The boys’ and girls’ diving camp will feature video analysis, professional and individual coaching, instruction on 1-meter and 3-meter boards, a low athlete-to-coach ratio, training on required and optional dives, daily pool sessions, dryland and dryboard training, supervised recreational activities, gymnastics training and a final dive exhibition. Recreational activities will include float-in movie nights, free night at the gymnastics club, a dance, bowling, time at the ropes course and more!

Rates are $375 before May 1 and $395 after May 1, and the final deadline to register is June 11. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps. This registration fee includes lodging and meals, as well as access to the Recreation and Athletics Center, indoor pool, weight room, dance studio, hiking trails, disc golf course, track and soccer complex, ropes course and more. For more information, call (800) 635-5987, Ext. 6921, or (507) 457-6921.

Saint Mary’s hosts two girls’ volleyball camps

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is hosting two girls’ volleyball camps July 18-29 for students entering grades six through 12 in the fall.

This first camp, “Session I,” is for girls entering grades six through eight and will be held Sunday, July 18, through Thursday, July 22. The second camp, “Session II,” is for girls entering grades nine through 12 and will be held Sunday, July 25, through Thursday, July 29.

These camps provide a great experience for players who want intense work in a competitive atmosphere. Seventy-five percent of the focus will be on individual skills, and the other 25 percent will be on team play. Mike Lester, SMU’s head volleyball coach, will lead this camp with the assistance of SMU women’s volleyball team members.

Rates are $375 before April 15 and $395 after April 15. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps. This registration fee includes lodging and meals, as well as access to the Recreation and Athletics Center, indoor pool, weight room, dance studio, hiking trails, disc golf course, track and soccer complex, ropes course and more. For more information, call (800) 635-5987, Ext. 6921 or (507) 457-6921.

SMU hosts Girls’ Basketball Camp July 11-15

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is hosting a Girls’ Basketball Camp July 11-15 for students entering grades five through 10 this fall.

This instructional camp gives special attention to the fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, passing and defense. Time is spent developing team concepts, as well as offensive and defensive game plans. Girls in each age group are challenged to compete and improve their skills against other campers their age. Seventy-five percent of the focus will be on individual skills during the camp, and the other 25 percent will be on team play.

Saint Mary’s women’s basketball coach Mandy Pearson will lead this camp, assisted by SMU women’s basketball team members. Campers will have the opportunity to play in the Cardinal’s home gym as well as have daily access to the Recreation and Athletic Center.

Rates are $375 before April 15 and $395 after April 15. These residential camps include lodging and meals from the evening of Sunday, July 11, through breakfast Thursday, July 15. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps. For more information, call (800) 635-5987, Ext. 6921 or (507) 457-6921.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts holds theatre camps July 27-31

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will offer summer theatre day camps, July 27-31, for students ages 7 to 13.

Theatre Day Camp I: “Welcome to Theatre” is a weeklong theatre daycamp for children ages 7-10. Students are introduced to the world of theatre and led through a series of theatre games and exercises that are designed to encourage and develop their creative abilities. “Welcome to Theatre” runs daily from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 27-31. The week concludes with a performance showcase on Friday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m. Camp tuition is $100. Tuition also includes a camp T-shirt. Full and partial scholarships are available.

Theatre Day Camp II: “Explore Theatre” is a weeklong theatre day camp for young people ages 10-13. Students will participate in session exploring acting, musical theatre, puppetry, behind-the-scenes, and make-up. “Explore Theatre” runs daily from 1 to 4:30 pm July 27 – 30 and from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 31. The week concludes with a performance showcase on Friday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m. Camp tuition is $150. Tuition also includes a camp T-shirt. Full and partial scholarships are available.

Scholarships for summer theatre camps are made possible through a grant from the Winona Fine Arts Commission. Parents or legal guardians of students wishing to apply for scholarships are asked to complete a scholarship form in addition to the camp registration form. The theatre camps scholarship application deadline is July 20. Scholarship forms can be obtained from the MCA office located in the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St., or by calling (507) 453-5500.

The Theatre Camps will be held at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center. Registration for these camps is still being accepted. For more information and registration materials, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. Parents may register their child at the Valéncia Arts Center or may mail registration to 1164 West 10th St., Winona, MN 55987.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.

‘Learn to Lead’ added to summer Saint Mary’s sports camps lineup

WINONA, Minn. — With summer vacation just ahead, now’s the time to register for camps at Saint Mary’s University’s Winona campus. A variety of programs are offered for area youth of all ages including: volleyball, basketball, hockey, swimming, figure skating or the new “Learn to Lead” camp for girls in grades six through eight.

• Learn to Lead camp from July 12-16. Learn to Lead is a new four-day on-campus experience for girls entering grades six, seven and eight in fall 2009. Participants will focus on the discovery of the leader within through fun activities, outdoor adventures and leadership skill development. The camp is being developed in conjunction with the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women at SMU. The cost is $375.

• Girls volleyball camps for girls in grades six through eight is July 19-23, and for grades nine through 12 is July 26-30. Develop as a player and as a person during this residential athletic camp, which focuses on both individual skills and team play. The cost is $375.

• Girls basketball camp for girls in grades five through 10 is July 12-16. This instructional camp gives special attention to the fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, passing and defense. Time is spent developing team concepts as well as offensive and defensive games plans. Each age group is challenged to compete and improve their skills against other campers their age. The cost is $375.

• PDP Hockey School is for girls and boys ages 8 through 18. Squirts, ages 9-10, meet June 28 through July 2; pee wees, ages 11-12, meet June 28 through July 2; boys goalies, ages 8 through 12, meet June 28 through July 2; U-10/U-12 girls meet July 5-9; U-14/high school girls meet July 5-9; and girls goaltenders, ages 8 through 18, meet July 5-9. The five-day residential camp cost is $595. Contact Bill Moore at (651) 442-7306 or pdphockeyschool@comcast.net.

• Mid-States Swim Camp meets June 14-18 and June 21-25. The five-day residential camp is $540. Contact midsts@nconnect.net.

• “Turning Point” Figure Skating Camp meets July 19-22 and 20-21. The cost for the four-day residential camp is $575. For the day camp, the cost is $125 per day or $225 for both days. Contact John Meier at (507) 452-5305 or winonafigureskating@charter.net.

*Registration for PDP Hockey, Mid-States Swim and Turning Point Figure Skating must be done through these individual camps. Although the camps are hosted on the SMU campus, SMU is not handing registration or payment.

For more information, go to www.smumn.edu/camps. Register and pay online, or call 800-635-5987, Ext. 6921 or (507) 457-6921.

Earlybird deadline is April 15 for summer Saint Mary’s camps

WINONA, Minn. — Take advantage of discounted rates through the earlybird deadline by registering April 15 for Saint Mary’s University’s summer camps. The Winona campus is filled with camp activities all summer long including:

• Learn to Lead camp from July 12-16. Learn to Lead is a new four-day on-campus experience for girls entering grades six, seven and eight in fall 2009. Participants will focus on the discovery of the leader within through fun activities, outdoor adventures and leadership skill development. The camp is being developed in conjunction with the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women at SMU. The cost is $375 ($350 by April 15).

• Girls volleyball camps for girls in grades six through eight July 19-23, and for grades nine through 12 July 26-30. Develop as a player and as a person during this residential athletic camp, which focuses on both individual skills and team play. The cost is $375 ($350 by April 15).

• Girls basketball camp for girls in grades five through 10 July 12-16. This instructional camp gives special attention to the fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, passing and defense. Time is spent developing team concepts as well as offensive and defensive games plans. Each age group is challenged to compete and improve their skills against other campers their age. The cost is $375 ($350 by April 15).

• PDP Hockey School for girls and boys ages 8 through 18. Squirts, ages 9-10, meet June 28 through July 2; pee wees, ages 1-12, meet June 28 through July 2; boys goalies, ages 8 through 12, meet June 28 through July 2; U-10/U-12 girls meet July 5-9; U-14/high school girls meet July 5-9; and girls goaltenders, ages 8 through 18, meet July 5-9. The five-day residential camp cost is $595 ($575 by April 15). Contact Bill Moore at (651) 442-7306 or pdphockeyschool@comcast.net.

• Mid-States Swim Camp June 14-18 and June 21-25. The five-day residential camp is $540. Contact midsts@nconnect.net.

• “Turning Point” Figure Skating Camp July 19-22 and 20-21. The cost for the four-day residential camp is $575. For the day camp, the cost is $125 per day or $225 for both days. Contact John Meier at (507) 452-5305 or winonafigureskating@charter.net.

*Registration for PDP Hockey, Mid-States Swim and Turning Point Figure Skating must be done through these individual camps. Although the camps are hosted on the SMU campus, SMU is not handling registration or payment.

For more information, go to www.smumn.edu/camps. Register and pay online, or call 800-635-5987, Ext. 6921 or (507) 457-6921.

Saint Mary’s offers summer residential camps

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is offering a variety of residential sports camps this summer. To register, go to www.smumn.edu/sportscamps or call (507) 457-6973.

Hockey Camp
Resident – $595 • Commuter – $495
• Squirts (ages 8-10) — June 15-20
• Pee-Wees (ages 11-12) — June 15-20
• Youth Girls (ages 9-12) — July 13-18
• High School Girls (ages 13-16) — July 13-18
*Winona Youth Hockey players can receive a special commuter rate of $195 per session (excluding girls high school)

Hosting: Mid-States Swim Camp — June 8-19

Hosting: Winona Figure Skating Club Turning Point Camp — July 27-31 (new in 2008)

Boys and Girls Basketball Camp
Resident – $350 • Commuter – $300
Grades 5-10 — July 13-17

Girls Volleyball Camp
Resident – $350 • Commuter – $300
Grades 6-8 — July 20-24
Grades 9-12 — July 27-31 (almost full)

SMU youth sports camps offer outstanding facilities, professional coaching, good food, and innovative and creative instruction within a well-supervised environment.

Students will work on individualized skills, as well as team play. Athletic trainers are on site, and all camps are run by SMU coaches and players. Rates include instruction, housing, meals and a shirt. For more information, call (507) 457-6973 or e-mail
conferencing&camps@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s offers summer baseball, basketball camps

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is once again offering summer sports camps, directed by SMU coaches, staff and players. Enroll today; camps fill early and space is limited. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/sportscamps.

The Cardinal Youth Baseball League runs June 10 through July 17 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cotter Fields. The cost is $65 per player (and includes a T-shirt and hat). Families with two or more players are eligible for a $55 per-player rate. Register according to the grades participants will enter in fall of 2008.

Leagues include:
• Rookie League (Cotter Soccer Field) — Entering grades 2 and 3, 6 p.m. (coach-pitched/coached by parents)
• American League (Cotter Softball Field) — Entering grades 4 and 5, 5:30 or 7 p.m. (machine-pitched/coached by parents)
• National League (Cotter Softball Field) — Entering grades 6 and 7, 9 or 10:30 a.m. (player-pitched/coached by high school and college coaches including former SMU coach and new Cotter coach Nick Whaley)

This league is designed to help players enhance their ability to enjoy the game of baseball through proper instruction, supervision, and practice of fundamental skills necessary to play the game effectively. Prior to every game, players will receive instruction and training from their coach. After the practice session, players will compete in a 5- or 6-inning game against another team from the league.

Parents and coaches should meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in the dining hall on the second floor of the Toner Student Center at the SMU campus to discuss scheduling, clinics, placement, and coaching.

The Boys & Girls Basketball Day Camp runs June 16-19 from 9 to 1 a.m. daily in SMU’s gym and Gostomski Fieldhouse. The cost is $70 per player (and includes a T-shirt & ball). Through the K-6 and 7-8 youth day camps, the younger players will be introduced to and taught the basic fundamentals of basketball, and the older players will be challenged to develop their basketball skills. The camp utilizes a variety of innovative teaching methods, drills and contests. Every aspect of the camp is designed to provide participants with valuable skills and a memorable experience — filled with friendship and fun.

Register now for SMU youth sports camps

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is now taking registration for its residential boys and girls hockey camps, boys and girls basketball camps, and girls volleyball camps.

BOYS & GIRLS HOCKEY
SESSION (Ages) CAMP DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Squirt (8-10) June 15-20* June 2
Pee Wee (11-12) June 15-20* June 2
Bantam (13-14) June 22-27 June 9
Bantam/Midget (13-16) July 6-11 June 23
Youth Girls (9-12) July 13-18* June 30
High School Girls (13-16) July 13-18* June 30
*Camps run simultaneously but separately.

RATES
Residential (by April 1), $570
Residential (after April 1), $595
Commuter, $495
Goalie Rate Residential, $475
Goalie Rate Commuter, $375

BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL
SESSION (Grades) CAMP DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE
GRADES 5-10 (boys and girls) July 13-17 June 30
*Camps run simultaneously but separately.

RATES
Residential (by April 1), $325
Residential (after April 1), $350
Commuter, $300

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
SESSION (Grades) CAMP DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE
SESSION I (Grades 6-8) July 20-24 July 7
SESSION II (Grades 9-12) July 27-31 July 14

RATES
Residential (by April 1), $325
Residential (after April 1), $350
Commuter, $300

SMU youth sports camps offer outstanding facilities, professional coaching, good food, and innovative and creative instruction within a well-supervised environment.

Students will work on individualized skills, as well as team play. Athletic trainers are on site, and all camps are run by SMU coaches and players. Rates include instruction, housing, meals and a shirt.

Register and pay online: www.smumn.edu/sportscamps or call 800-635-5987, Ext. 6973, or (507) 457-6973. Space is limited. Register by April 1 and receive the early bird discount! Information regarding SMU youth sports day camps will be announced soon.

Saint Mary’s hosts pre-season basketball camp Sept. 16-Oct. 14

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Advanced Pre-Season Basketball camp — for boys and girls in grades eight through 12 — will run Sept. 16 through Oct. 14.

This camp will consist of five intense basketball workouts in September and October. Each workout will be directed by Mandy Pearson, Saint Mary’s Women’s Basketball coach, and Mike Trewick, SMU Men’s Basketball coach, and will focus on developing offensive skills with progressive development from session to session.

The camp is limited to 36 participants, so maximum repetitions and individualized instruction can take place. This camp is designed for serious basketball players who are looking to be challenged.

Boys meet 5 to 6:30 p.m., and girls meet 6:30 to 8 p.m. Camps run Sept. 16, 23 and 30, and Oct. 7 and 14.

The cost of $75 pr person includes a T-shirt and individual instruction by Saint Mary’s staff and players. All sessions will be held in the SMU gymnasium.

For more information, e-mail conferencing&camps@smumn.edu or call (507) 457-6973. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/sportscamps.

Gilmore Creek, Conservatory team with Missoula for summer theatre camp

Gilmore creek Summer Theatre actors Danny Pancratz (Dubuque, Iowa) and Mariah Ciangiola (Rushford, Minn.) are photographed with 6- and 7-year-old mask-makers from this summer’s theatre day camp, hosted by the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts.


Samuel and Nathan Graff of Winona show off their finished wounds from the make-up workshop, lead by company manager and SMU theatre arts professor Dr. Gary Diomandes.




WINONA, Minn. — The Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts teamed up with the Missoula Children's Theatre this week to offer Winona kids a summer theatre experience they won't soon forget. Youth entering grades one through nine were invited to participate in a six-day theatre day camp that covered basic theatre techniques both on stage and off July 30 through Aug. 4. The children rehearsed with the Missoula Children's Theatre to put on the "Pied Piper," and at the same time took classes with Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre actors and Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts faculty. Classes included acting, singing, dancing, costuming, mask-making, scenery, storytelling, technical theatre, and make-up. The camp concluded with two performances Saturday. The Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre is Saint Mary’s University’s professional summer theatre company, and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s.

Conservatory announces children's dance day camps

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts at the Valéncia Arts Center will hold summer dance day camps for children, June 11-15 and June 18-22.

“Dance Me A Story,” — to be held 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, June 11, through Friday, June 15 — is a week-long dance day camp for children ages 4-8. Students will participate in technique classes including ballet and creative movement. Additionally, students will learn the story and choreography of a classical ballet, fairy-tale, or fable, which will be performed in a showcase for family and friends at the conclusion of the camp. The final showcase performance will be Friday, June 15, at 4 p.m. Tuition for this camp is $100.

“Dance the Day Away,” — to be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 18, through Friday, June 22 — is a week-long dance day camp for children ages 9-12. Students will participate in technique classes (ballet, modern, and jazz) and theory classes (makeup and costuming, program design, dance vocabulary, dance history and traditions, and anatomy), as well as learn and create choreography for a final showcase performance. The final showcase performance will be 4 p.m. Friday, June 22. Tuition for this camp is $150.

Showcase performances are free and open to the public. These informal demonstrations will be held at the Valéncia Arts Center’s Academy Theatre, located at Howard and Vila streets.

Instruction for both dance day camps will be provided by MCA dance faculty: Christine Martin, Jennifer O’Neill, Juliana Piscitiello and Jennifer Severson. Financial need-based scholarships are available.

For a complete listing of all MCA summer dance and theatre camps, workshops and classes for youth and adults, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. Registration for all MCA summer programming is currently being accepted.

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Youth Baseball League is designed to help players enhance their abilities through proper instruction, supervision, and practicing fundamental skills. The league will run Mondays and Wednesdays from June 4 to July 14 at Cotter Fields (due to the restructuring of the SMU ballfields). The league does not meet on July 4.

The $65 fee includes a T-shirt and hat. Prior to every game, players will receive instruction and training from their coach. After the practice session, players will compete in a five-six inning game against another team from the league.

• The Rookie League (for players entering grades three and four) meets June 4 through July 11 at 5:30 or 7 p.m. (coached-pitched/coached by parents).
  
  
• The American League (for players entering grades four and five) meets June 4 through July 11 at 5:30 or 7 p.m. (machine-pitched/coached by parents)
  
  
• The National League (for players entering grades six and seven) meets June 11 to July 14 at 9 or 10:30 a.m. (player-pitched/coached by high school and college coaches.

Players entering fourth grade can choose between the Rookie and American Leagues.

An informational meeting for players, parents and coaches will be held 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20, in Gostomski Fieldhouse, located on the SMU campus. Scheduling, clinics, placement and coaching will be discussed.

REGISTER and pay online at www.smumn.edu/sportscamps. For more information, e-mail smusportscamps@smumn.edu, or call (507) 457-6973 or 800-635-5987, Ext. 6973.