Rivier Men's Soccer Returns to Camp Huckins

Nashua, NH:  The Raiders finally returned to their normal preseason traditions after 2 long years of pandemic restrictions.  Camp Huckins is a 4-day team bonding experience that Coach Barbosa introduced to the program in 2018.  Coach Barbosa shares the team's experience. "Camp Huckins is a special place; it is a haven of recreational activities that creates opportunities to build chemistry and celebrate the hard work we've done in the offseason. We've missed that opportunity over the last two years, and it certainly did the trick this year! These guys are ready!"

The Raiders arrived at camp on Monday, August 29th with the intention to start their experience with a scrimmage against another collegiate program at Kennett High School in North Conway, N.H.  Unfortunately, the scrimmage was canceled.  Instead, the program was asked to run a training session for the Kennett High School boys varsity team.  "It is one of Rivier's core missions to give back and this was a perfect opportunity to do so.  Both programs engaged in what I call a "mirroring session" where the two teams mimick the seame activity on opposite sides of the field. We focused on defending and transitioning. Both groups had a blast and the high schoolers asked some great questions!"

Later that night, the group had dinner and a campfire where they engaged in icebreakers and smores. Day two and three was a culmination of team building exercises, kayaking, floor hockey, basketball, ping pong, archery, water volleyball, a triathlon and a couple field training sessions.  Each activity was led by a Camp Huckins staff member.  "The coaching staff and players made an agreement. If they come in fit, we'll be able to sacrifice some time away from the field and engage in interactive activities to build the chemistry needed to be successful this season."

Coach Barbosa shares one his favorite part of the experience. "In this day in age, we're so bogged down by routines and schedules. One of my points of emphasis in this experience is to live in the moment. With that in mind. I didn't give the guys a daily schedule.  I told them when and where to be and to come with an open-mind! They did exactly that and we walked away from the experience with memories and a tighter bond!"