April 11, 2024
CROSSFIT COMMUNITY HELPING TEEN WHOSE DAD DIED GET TO THE PIT’S SUMMER COMPETITOR CAMP
- How to give: https://gofund.me/42f78230
- Camp information and registration: CAMP – The Pit Fitness Ranch – Three Rivers, MI
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THREE RIVERS, Mich – The Pit Fitness Ranch and the greater CrossFit community are helping two teens come to the Prodigies Competitor Camp June 6-9, knowing training with their peers can be therapeutic as they grieve the untimely death of beloved CrossFit Zoo affiliate owner Brad Robison.
Robison died Jan. 21, 2024, after a short fight with pancreatic cancer that stunned wife Nikki and stepson Gage with its ferocity and takedown of the 40-year-old.
Gage, 15, has been reeling since the loss, said Nikki. CrossFit, of course, has been a stabilizer for the family. Gage completed the Open, finishing top 25% to qualify for quarterfinals in the 14-15 division.
Then the family celebrated Brad’s life with a memorial service March 23.
When Nikki saw information about The Pit’s teen summer camp, she thought, “It would be so great for them to go.”
“Them” includes 14-year-old Kaylyn Smith, Gage’s girlfriend, who also trains at CrossFit Zoo in Ocala, Fla. Kaylyn also finished in the top 25% in the Open in the 14-15 division.
With medical bills, running the affiliate, funeral expenses and more, grieving widow Nikki wasn’t sure they could afford the $1400 camper fee for the camp as well as travel expenses to and from Florida.
The Pit had already awarded camp scholarships for 2024 but reduced the fee for both Gage and Kaylyn to attend, knowing coming to camp will be so beneficial for the kids.
“The kids getting together for the weekend to train, eat, play, talk, to kick it – this stuff is good for all of them on so many levels. And for a young man whose dealing with his father’s passing? I can see how the camp can be therapy and community in action,” said Brock Yost, head coach at The Pit.
Nikki paid deposits for the campers then started a GoFundMe fundraiser to pay the discounted balances as well as to cover travel costs for both teens to come to Michigan June 6-9.
Anyone who wants to contribute may do so at https://gofund.me/42f78230.
The Pit’s Prodigies Competitor Camp is set for June 6-9, 2024. It’s designed for 14-19-year-olds who are or who want to be competitive at CrossFit. It’s $1400 for the weekend, which includes everything except travel to and from Three Rivers, Michigan.
Coaches at the summer camp include
- Brock Yost, executive director of the 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games
- Jared Enderton, weightlifting coach
- Bella Martin, CrossFit event host
- Adam Paulsen, 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games Athlete Development Coordinator
- Alexander Gill, masters athlete and running coach
- Zachariah Jones, head judge, 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games
For more information about the camp, visit CAMP – The Pit Fitness Ranch – Three Rivers, MI or e-mail Stephanie Price, camp coordinator, at stephanie@pitfitnessranch.com.
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