Annandale’s Elliot Peterson found a unique summer camp experience this year and one that fit his number one interest – sports.
Peterson, 14 and entering eighth grade at Annandale Middle School this fall, attended the Play-By-Play Sports Broadcasting Camp in Chicago, Illinois, Monday, July 10 to Friday, July 14.
Peterson loves sports and has his eye on someday being a TV or radio sportscaster.
Peterson traveled to Chicago with his father Lee. He was the only camper that came from outside of the Chicago area. He and his dad stayed at nearby hotels while Elliot spent the day at camp. Peterson’s day at camp was from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and he utilized an Uber to get from the hotel to the camp each day.
There were 80 campers, boys and girls, at the Chicago camp and eight counselors. The fee included lunch and the organizers took the safe route and meals included traditional kids favorites: pizza, chicken strips, burgers and pizza again.
"The food was awesome," Peterson said.
Peterson’s cost for the day-camp was $625, plus the travel expenses to and from Chicago and the Uber rides getting to and from the hotel.
There were a few overnight campers, and the fee for them was $1,275.
In the broadcast booth
The campers had many opportunities each day practicing what it would be like to be a sports broadcaster.
Peterson got to practice reading off a teleprompter; made play-by-play tapes of basketball, baseball and football games; in groups of three they did podcasts where they discussed sports headlines for 25 minutes.
"We made sports anchor tapes in a real studio," Peterson said. "We also practiced ‘Pardon the Interruption’ (PTI), that’s where you get to interrupt another sportscaster if you disagree with what they just said."
The campers were critiqued by the counselors in each of the sportscasting exercises, giving them valuable feedback.
Games
The days at camp had plenty of competitive trivia games to make things interesting.
On Monday, Peterson was on a team playing Sports Jeopardy.
"In the morning session we ended up being ahead by 3,000 points," Peterson said. "After lunch our team simply stunk. We could not do anything right, including losing 1,000 points when we challenged an answer and were wrong."
He also played "Stump the Schwab," and other camp trivia games.
Wrigley Field
Peterson had the chance to tour Wrigley Field during his week at camp
Built in 1914, Peterson noticed it looked much older than the sports venues he is familiar with in the Twin Cities.
"The visitors clubhouse was really small and stark," Peterson said. "I have seen the Twins visitor clubhouse and it is much bigger and nicer."
Peterson was impressed by the ivy on the outfield wall.
"All that ivy is the original from when it was planted in 1914," Peterson said.
Peterson and his dad also had the chance to take in the Cubs-Pirates game at Wrigley on Sunday when they arrived.
Celebrity speakers
Each day of the camp Peterson and the other campers had the opportunity to listen to presentations by well-known play-by-by announcers and sports writers. They learned what it takes to be successful sports journalists from the people that have had great success at it.
Monday, the first day of camp, they heard from SportsNet Anchor Siera Santos.
Monday also saw NFL tight end Clay Harbor stop by the camp and the campers got to practice answering questions during a mock press conference.
Tuesday Dave Kaplan stopped by. Kaplan is the co-host of Kap and Haugh on ESPN1000 radio, is the host of "Sports Talk Live" on Comcast SportsNet. He also does the pre- and post-game show for the Chicago Cubs.
On Wednesday, Hub Arkush, the executive editor of Pro Football Weekly, stopped by.
"Hub Arkush told us that getting into the profession of sportscasting will not be easy," Peterson said. "Lots of people want to have jobs in sports like his. He suggested that when in college, work at the campus radio station."
Thursday morning ESPN play-by-play announcer Jordan Bernfield visited.
On Friday the team got to hear Neil Funk, 70, the long-time play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Bulls.
"It was really cool hearing him talk," Peterson said. "He was doing play-by-play way back in the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen era."
A career
Elliot is the son of Lee and Danielle Peterson and the brother of Jonah and Charlie.
Peterson will continue to play his favorite sport – baseball – this coming year. In addition he is a trombone player for the AMS band. Looking to his goal of one day becoming a sportscaster, he plans to be part of the AHS speech team in the coming years.
While college is five years away, he has already picked out a favorite.
"I really want to go to Syracuse University in New York," Peterson said. "I am hoping to get a scholarship to help pay for it."
Syracuse University is considered to be one of the top schools in the country for its communication and journalism programs. Among the school’s broadcasting and sports journalist alumni include Bob Costas, Marv Albert, Mike Tirico and Pete Thamel.
"This camp was great, I really had fun and learned a lot," Peterson said. "I am more convinced than ever, that I want play-by-play and sports broadcasting to be in my future."