As Camp Teckla held its 20th year of basketball and skills training from July 4-8 this year at the Stettler Elementary School gymnasium, with participants ranging from grades one to 12, Teckla Anderson’s grandparents Dorothy and Stan Anderson acceded the reins in the very capable hands of Leighann Doan Reimer and Julie Siemens, long time coaches of the program.
“We had promised to be involved for 20 years and since this year marks the end of that period, we have decided that Leighann and Julie should take over,” said one of the co-organizers and Teckla’s grandmother Dorothy Anderson. “And they are happy and willing.”
With five of their great grandchildren having attended Camp Teckla this year, Anderson feels this year has been “quite special”.
One of the other co-organizers Kim Poapst feels it is important to make sure that the transition is gradual.
“We would like to ensure that both Reimer and Siemens do not feel overwhelmed, so although we still need to figure out the logistics, we will get there,” added Poapst.
Among the changes that are expected to be incorporated next year into Camp Teckla are the elimination of Grade 1-3 students.
“Just for those three grades, we have had 14 coaches, besides myself and it is a lot of organization,” said Poapst. “So we have decided to hold the camp for grades 4–12 and maybe four days instead of five, Monday to Thursday.”
This year there were 197 participants with a lot more students from Stettler area.
“We will always keep the camp family-oriented,” continued Poapst. “This year we missed the Chris-Chris combination as Chris Matts was unable to get time off work, although Chris McElroy was there.”
Leighann Doan Reimer who will be one of the co-organizers next year has attended the camp for 19 years, missing out the year she had university games in China.
“The three of us – Dorothy, Stan and myself could not do the job we do and put 3,500 kids through camp without the help of family and friends,” said Poapst.
Among the coaches this year were Jessica Lane, Jordan Lane, Sydney Poapst, Megan Sid and Taylor Kobi from Stettler, Jillian Omoth from Daysland, Tiana Gamroth and Kiara Gamroth from Castor, Brooklyn Perry and Logan Perry from Halkirk, Tori Brower and Shayna Brower from Gadsby and other adult coaches who have been involved with the camp from the first year.