Lucas’ Story: From First-Day Nerves to Teamwork Triumph
Active Fusion’s holiday camps are designed to keep the half-term fun, fit, and healthy! These camps give children the chance to stay active, try new and exciting physical activities, and create unforgettable memories. During the February holidays of 2025, Active Fusion partnered with five different venues across Doncaster to bring these camps to local communities, including Waverley Primary Academy in Balby, where seven-year-old Lucas attended for the first time.
Different Setting, Same Exciting Adventure
Lucas had been to Fusion Camp before, but always at a different venue. He wasn’t sure what to expect from the new setting, but he knew one thing for certain, camp was always fun. It meant running around, playing new games, and making friends, all things he didn’t get to do as much at home, where he mostly played video games and watched TV. As he woke up on Monday morning, excitement bubbled inside him. He was ready for another adventure. When Lucas arrived at camp, familiar faces instantly put him at ease. Some of his friends from previous camps were there, and the friendly Active Fusion coaches: Tom Horton, Oliver Bristow, Ben Sweeney, and Daniel Tinnion, greeted him warmly. Alongside them were casual coaches Seren and Grace, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Lucas always felt safe at Fusion Camp, knowing the coaches were there to help with anything he needed.
Kicking Off an Action-Packed Week
The morning kicked off with a mix of activities, from Danish longball to tennis and basketball. Lucas loved trying new games, especially ones he hadn’t played before. He quickly picked up the rules and enjoyed the challenge, already thinking about how he could introduce some of these games to his friends at school. But not everything came easily. During a team game, Lucas’ team lost a close match. In the past, this would have frustrated him, losing was never fun.
At first, he struggled to accept it, but with encouragement from the coaches and his teammates, he began to see things differently. By the afternoon, something had changed. Instead of focusing on the loss, he cheered on his friends, smiled, and even shook hands with the other team.
Building Confidence and Team Spirit
By Wednesday, Lucas arrived at Fusion Camp feeling even more confident. He had been thinking about the games he’d played on Monday and was eager to see what was planned for the day. This time, he didn’t have the first-day nerves, he knew the coaches, he had made new friends, and he understood that camp was about having fun, not just winning.
The day was filled with more team games, including netball and rugby. Lucas found himself working better with his teammates, encouraging them, and even taking on more of a leadership role. He wasn’t just focused on scoring or winning, he was thinking about how to help his team play better together. The change in him was clear. He was calmer, more patient, and had a new level of confidence in himself.
By the end of camp, the coaches had noticed his growth. The same boy who had struggled with losing on Monday was now handling competition with a smile, supporting his teammates, and even praising opponents. His ability to stay calm and focused in team games had come a long way in just two days.
The Final Whistle: A Camp to Remember
When asked about his time at camp, Lucas grinned. “I always enjoy camp, but I feel this week has been even better. Every activity has been fun, and I have met lots of new friends,” he said. For Lucas, Fusion Camp had been more than just a place to run around and play games. It had given him the chance to grow, to challenge himself, and to develop skills that would help him beyond camp, at school, in sports, and in everyday life. He left feeling happy, proud, and already looking forward to the next camp, knowing that each time, he was not just becoming a better player, but a better teammate too.
Read more stories like Lucas’ here or discover more about Fusion Camps here.