“This year was amazing,” said Snell. “I sent out a lot of letters, and I couldn’t believe that amount of support we got from the community. I shouldn’t say I couldn’t believe it because the community is always awesome.”

The camp’s youth athletes were divided into three age groups, kindergarten through second grade, third grade through fifth grade, and sixth grade, with each group learning and participating in three events as well as a relay added on the third day.

The events for this year’s camp were shot put, long jump, and either a 50-meter or 100-meter dash.

Snell’s assistant coaches as well as current and recently graduated students all helped to provide an educational athletic experience for all ages in just a few days that culminated in a track meet for all ages on the third day as well as a water balloon battle for the kindergarten through second grade kids.

Laelah Mueller crosses the finish line to win the relay race

“What really blows my mind is that Sheffield track, anybody that has been around it the last few years, they know it’s become something pretty special,” said Snell. “The last two years, I have had kids that have graduated, they don’t have to have anything to do with fundraising, it’s not going to benefit them whatsoever, I’ve had kids come back and work this track camp because they know how important it is to the kids and apparently Sheffield track meant something to them.”

Last year’s camp helped to fund new uniforms for the 2023 season, but now Snell’s focus has shifted to the events themselves, with the goal of purchasing new hurdles for the 2024 season. The current hurdles are some of the oldest in the county and have required increasing maintenance. The camp received donations from over 25 local businesses and organizations, with camp t-shirts provided by Snell Landscaping.

From left to right, Ryleigh Lord, Avalee Seither and Amiah Smith run.