At just 6 months old, Dominique Moceanu was placed on a clothesline by her parents to test her strength. She held onto that clothesline until it broke. At that moment, her parents knew that she was going to be a gymnast.
Moceanu was just 3 years old when she began her gymnastics career. Her journey to the Olympics — at which she was a member of the 1996 gold medal-winning U.S. women’s gymnastics team — taught her a great deal.
“It teaches you to never, ever, ever give up on a dream and a goal,” Moceanu says. “No matter what the obstacle, every time that I’ve accomplished something great in my life there’s always been adversity beforehand.”
This summer, her Dominique Moceanu Gymnastics Center hosts its ninth annual summer camp on June 10 to 12, June 24 to 26 and July 8 to 10 at its Medina gym.
Owner, founder and instructor Moceanu says the camp is one of the aspects of coaching that she enjoys the most.
“I love to see kids in those happy moments, where they’re getting those aha moments and they’re super excited to listen to you, take in your impact, take in your words and really give their best effort during camp because they know that they’re there for that growth and learning,” Moceanu says.
A typical camp morning includes warmups, games, conditioning and three rotations or sessions. After lunch, there are three more rotations and a cool-down session. Rotations include vault, bars, beam, floor and dance. One of the cool downs offered is yoga, which many similar gyms don’t have.
“It’s a gift that keeps on giving, because long after gymnastics is done, they may want to pick up yoga,” Moceanu says, “to do something difficult, something active and something that they can do for the rest of their lives.”
The day concludes with a Q&A with a special guest, such as coaches who have competed in the Olympics, have college experience or have coached for many years. Plus, kids can get their autographs.
The last day ends with a show. Each child learns a dance number and performs it for their loved ones.
Moceanu hopes that the campers can gain wisdom from the staff.
“We really strive to have that wonderful experience for them and for them to walk away with something extremely positive,” she says.
734 N. Progress Drive, Medina, 330-952-2767, dominiquemoceanugymnasticscenter.com
Dominique Moceanu Gymnastics Center
Dominique Moceanu Gymnastics Center
Dominique Moceanu Gymnastics Center
