USAV High Performance Vegas--the big lesson

So I'm done with my first High Performance camp and am now sitting in the Las Vegas airport.  After 4.5 bust days, it's the first chance I've had to really write anything down.  So, instead of some properly organized writing with paragraphs, etc...because I'm tired, we're going to roll with bullets and odd random thoughts.

1. I think the joy shown by 11 and 12 year old athletes is one of the best things in sports--not just volleyball.  But I also think that sometimes that gets suppressed by parents who are only think of pro-ball or the Olympics for their child.  The kids today aren't likely to make the Olympics in a decade or more--but I think their passion will continue for the sport.
2. I appreciate that the parents who remained in Vegas followed the rules.  They didn't bother the kids during the day and happily sat and watched the game-play segment at night.  They were encouraging.  I don't think it's coincidence that I was dealing with good kids and that they had good parents.
3. I must admit to skepticism initially with the classroom sessions offered by USAV in conjunction with True Sport, part of the anti-doping movement, but not after the first one.  Short films on key issues for athletes--a nice 5-10 minute talk by an Olympian, followed by guided discussion.  The topics for Future Selects were Nutrition/Hydration for Athletes and Bullying.  I wish the Bullying session could've been longer--I thought it was a great hour that truly mattered to the Future Selects and Selects who were in the classroom.
4. The documentary, Court and Spark, on Olympian Courtney Thompson was great--a story of effort and work, especially since she isn't an incredible natural athlete or exceptionally tall.  I know a lot of parents and athletes who should see it to understand the commitment necessary for success (in this case with volleyball).
5. UNLV does nothing for me.  Everyone was nice, the gym was great...but walking around feeling like I'm being baked just isn't my thing.  Even with humidity, I'll stick with two-digit temperatures. 
6. I'm always stunned by how many people prefer working with older kids rather than younger ones.  My practical answer would be--if you don't like working with the age group, DON'T MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE for that age group.
7. I've learned a lot about airline procedures (Southwest and Delta) regarding minors flying, especially "Unaccompanied Minors".  Just as important for my sanity, they were really helpful with me needing to pick up different people multiple times--or on the way out where I am currently sitting with a "UM".
8. The USA Volleyball "swag" is pretty sweet...with the coaching stuff, it even makes me look good.  With the athletes, it's pretty cool to see groups in red, white, and blue shirts.  The kids liked getting them--and there is something to be said for having the logo of the national program on your gear.
9. Kayla, the camp 'director' was great--forced to deal with a lot of non-volleyball logistics.  Ditto Denise Sheldon--I think out of the 100 or so kids, 99 were probably put right where they should be in terms of skill.  That's a pretty awesome ratio--and only possible with a lot of hard work with the HP Tryouts/Evaluations.
10. While I liked working it, evaluation paperwork for campers...that's a beast and I only had a little to do.  Yikes.  Of course, I'm complaining, but I don't have a better alternative system that could be setup.

There it is--Vegas HP in a nutshell.
Time to fly Southwest and sleep most of my way back home.