“Fuck, fuck fuck. What the fuck are we doing here?” filmer Paul Heran said, as we pulled up to Boreal Mountain for the 5th annual Academy Snowboard Camp. The wind was blowing somewhere around 50 miles an hour, and the snow had not stopped falling for the previous 10 days. As we passed through chain control Interstate 80, I seriously believed there was no way the camp would take place. However, I underestimated the perseverance and desire of the young campers and the dedication and drive of Academy to have a good time, no matter what.

“Camp Academy is what Academy Snowboard Company is all about having fun snowboarding” Jeff Baughn, Academy Snowboards owner and Camp Academy founder, explained. “No matter rain or shine, or 70 mile-an-hour wind gusts and 10 ft. of powder, Camp Academy is always a guaranteed fun time. We can make the best darn lemonade out of any lemons! Don’t let anything get you down because we are so blessed and lucky to get to go snowboarding with our friends!”

Coach Jordan, hard at work

Sharing JB’s enthusiasm were professional coaches Jonas Michilot, Jordan Michilot, Danimals, Will Bateman, and Chad Tarbell who lead the campers into an overwhelming blizzard on the first day of camp. Each professional coach was paired with a local volunteer coach and they helped their campers pick team names like 180 Death Punch and my personal favorite, Blue Octopus Appendix Mustache Pizza Snakes AKA the Long John Shredders. With no boxes or rails in sight, the crew made the best of things and turned a wind lip into a kicker. “Camp was kick butt,” Jordan Michilot said. “Weather conditions weren’t ideal but the kids got to learn how to get upside down on a real pow jump.”

The Best Suitcase Method Ever Packed

The upside down shenanigans from Day 1 led many campers to try and recreate their inverted maneuvers on the Day 2 park challenge, where they learned why powder landings are safer than park jumps. After an insane show of bravery and neck breaking crashes, judges chose their winners, including one of the craziest suit case methods to ever go down. In addition to riding, campers also learned how to screen print t-shirts, demoed 2012 Academy boards, and got a clinic on waxing snowboards from Minnesota’s own rising jib superstar Danimals, who looked as excited as every kid throughout the entire cam. And after each day of snowboarding the kids were treated to more prizes and product than most pro snowboarders get all year thanks to the camp sponsors.

Ironing Screen printing lesson with the Michilots.

During the two days of Camp Academy, I never heard a single camper complain about the weather. I never saw a single coach try to coax his kids inside, and no one seemed discouraged that this snowboard camp took place in the storm of the century. Maybe next year it will be sunny but one thing is for sure: Be it rain, sleet, sun, snow, or blizzard conditions, the camp is going down and everyone is going to have the time of their lives.

Jordan, 5-0 or zeach?