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Mark Carmody loves children. He's also a fanatic about physical education, and he skillfully combines his twin passions to help families in Westport.
Carmody, a physical education teacher at Long Lots Elementary School, runs an after school program for Westport children at three elementary schools. This week, he is offering an all sports camp for children ages 4-12 at Long Lots Elementary. Carmody runs the programs through his company, Peak Performance Sports Camps. He also runs programs in Easton and Stamford, and his objectives in each are to keep kids active and promote a healthy lifestyle.
"I don't want them to sit around,'' Mark says, "We want the children up and moving and enjoying physical activity. You have to love what you do. It's definitely hard at times, because the kids get tired when they're going all day. By 3 in the afternoon, we do get some tired kids."
Carmody's staff includes physical education teachers, who know techniques to keep kids engaged. "We know the skills and drills,'' he says. Carmody's instruction isn't always sport specific, but is geared toward developing overall fitness and healthy lifestyles. "We want to give them an introduction to sports and promote lifelong fitness,'' Carmody says.
He has found a receptive audience in Westport, where his camps during the school's vacation week quickly filled. Westport residents appreciate the recreational outlets Carmody provides and have embraced his approach. "Anything they can do to improve their children's wellbeing, they'll get behind,'' Carmody says. "Plus, our after school sessions gives them a unique opportunity to participate in activities that they only play during physical education."
The children aren't the only ones fatigued at the end of Carmody's camps. He's weary as well, and then returns home to his wife and two young children in Norwalk, where he coaches in the Norwalk Junior Soccer Association. Carmody's schedule is filled, but combining his passions has been a rewarding experience.
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