The future of Newtown field hockey was at Treadwell Park for the Field Hockey Camp with Coach Ellen Goyda, taking place five consecutive mornings in late June. The camp, for girls ages 5-14, was run by college-bound players and current Newtown High players with the objective to introduce young athletes to the game while helping build for the future of Newtown High School's program.

While campers/future high school players improved stick skills, worked on game strategies, and developed passion for the game, the counselors also benefitted in a variety of ways.

"They come out of this camp being a better player," said Goyda, adding that the players-turned-coaches gained a better understanding of the importance of focus and listening. "They just become more attentive and coachable when they've been on the other side of it."

"It gives them perspective of how hard coaching can be," added Ellen's daughter Megan, the head coach at NHS, who helps run the camp.

"I think for the girls it gives them an opportunity to give back to the community," Megan said of her team members volunteering their time to direct up-and-coming field hockey stars in the camp.

Megan, along with her sister Katie, the junior varsity coach at NHS, attended the camp years ago and went on to come back to work as a counselor/camp coach.

"It's fun to do the camp and then run the camp — it's a full circle moment," Megan said.

The objective was for each camper to learn at least one new skill each day — from holding the stick properly to a variety of offensive and defensive skills, the more experienced players working on more complex strategies in a fun-filled environment.

"I love it — the kids are cute. Their perspectives are all over the place and we embrace the different personalities," Ellen said. "It's a hard game to play if you've never played before."

For the youngest attendees, this is an introduction to the sport, and for the camp instructors to see them develop skills in a short time is rewarding.

"It's so much fun. They are the future of our program. There are so many personalities and I just can't want to see them grow," Katie said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.