Coach Charlie camp stresses fitness

mbrown@sunmulti.com

When Charlie Santiago sees the statistics that show Georgia as No. 2 in the nation in child obesity, he gets both sad and embarrassed.

So, the local running coach is taking an idea he tinkered with last year – an idea that brought about surprising success – and broadening it. For the fourth summer in a row in Houston County, Santiago is hosting a running camp, but this year it is expanding to include fitness for both young people and their families.

Coach Charlie’s Camp begins Tuesday at the Central Georgia Soccer Association complex that neighbors the Warner Robins American Little League Flint Energies Complex. For two times a day Monday through Thursday – 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Santiago will be instructing local prep cross country competitors, but he is also welcoming anyone interested in weight loss and fitness.

In 2012, Santiago worked with three local youth, and by getting them in a walking program at their own pace, they eventually got to where they were jogging laps and even running a mile. One child, he said, lost 14 pounds. Another, 17 pounds. And the third, 23 pounds.

Santiago said everyone will stretch at the start of the program, and those who want to just walk can walk. When that part is done, he said everyone will get back together to do core work.

This, Santiago said, is a great type of family outing. He wants to see moms and dads out there with their children, because not only will this promote fitness, but general conversation as well.

“It’s quality time,” said Santiago. He added that, during the walks, the youth can bring with them Frisbees to throw to each other or soccer balls to kick.

“I want to put a dent in this in Houston and Bibb counties,” said Santiago about the obesity rate. “Our goal should be to lose 500 pounds.”

On Monday, June 3, Santiago will be holding registration and orientation at the CGSA complex for interested participants to fill out the required paperwork. For more information about the running and fitness camp, Santiago can be reached at 287-6046.

The cost will be $30 per week to help pay for the hydration products and compensate his assistant coaches.

The coach doesn’t want anyone to be intimidated by the presence of the high school and middle school cross country runners. Everyone will be allowed to set their own pace. This camp will continue until the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.

For the high school and middle school age campers, Santiago will continue to drill the importance of grades. He said they should spend their non-training time reading a book, developing their vocabulary and just becoming smarter.

“Without grades, you can’t go anywhere,” he said. “It will be harder to get into college.”

Even without advanced publicity for the camp, Santiago said the interest is growing. He has signs for the camp on the fences at the soccer complex, and the phone calls are coming in, like one from Cochran.

“I always ask what their grades are like,” he said. “Running makes you disciplined. It’s hard to run seven to nine miles a day. But I’ve seen C students become A students. That’s good for the community.”

Not only will the grades improve, Santiago said the miles will improve. And no one will wake up sore. He said he will ask each participant to weigh himself or herself on Tuesday, and get back on the scales each week to check on the progress.

Santiago also invites any middle school teacher/coach to attend the camp free of charge just to observe. It is his hope that cross country will grow at this level to the point where these coaches will form running clubs to regularly compete.

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