To the people that have read this thread and people that are going to read it.... I am Chris Ashcraft one of the owners here at Ohio Dreams Action Sports Camp. I am going to try and set a few things straight.
First off I am, and will always, be a supporter of the freeskiing movement. That is why I work for 4FRNT Skis and SMS Clothing, so I can stay connected with the youth of our industry, the ones who are pushing our sport to new and higher levels. One of the main reasons that I built Ohio Dreams was so that skiing and snowboarding athletes could have a safe environment to push themselves to go bigger and get better.
Second, I truly believe that there is a place in the industry to have on snow and off snow training for skiing and snowboarding. If water ramps were of no use the pros would not use them. Why do you think Olympic athletes use the water ramp facilities at Lake Placid and Park City in the summer to train? Because they are learning things that if they mess up on snow, will almost certanly kill them. For instance, Jon Olsson and the Kangaroo flip. This trick that is becoming huge in our sport was learned into a pool not on snow, nor at a summer camp on a glacier.
Third, Ohio Dreams was created to be a summer camp nothing more. Because of the economy, building issues, and just to get the word out we did do day sessions last summer which I believe is one of the reasons we are having succes this year. When this camp was in conception, one of my biggest fears was mixing the outside public with our campers whos parents have intrused us with their safety. This is why during the summer we have not done any day sessions. To this point we have had campers here the entire summer including on the weekends. I know that this does limit some people that can not afford to attend a summer camp for a week, but we are working on getting a scholorship program together for just such reasons so next summer we can get as many people here as possible.
Four, I run, manage, clean bathrooms, answer phones, hang out with kids, and that literally takes up about 14 hours a day, that does not include seeing my wife or my eight year old child whom have seen very little of me since we started Ohio Dreams. I truly appologize if I do not return some phone calls it is not intentional or becuase I do not belive in this industry, it is because I get about (not exagerating) 40 phone calls a day and I do not have time to get back to everyone . My entire family has given up everything to make Ohio Dreams not only a reality for me, but for all of you in the skiing and snowboarding community.
Finally, I want to say thank you for everyone that has supported Ohio Dreams and made my "Dream" possible.
If anyone has any questions concerns or constuctive critisizm, please email me personally at Chris@ohiodreams.com
We will be doing a few day session when camp is over probably sometime in the middle of september check out the website for more info.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!!!