It's time for the Spartan Kids Race!
Kids Camp has become a pretty well-oiled machine over the years—but that doesn’t mean we stop looking for ways to make it even better. A couple of years ago, Courtney had the brilliant idea to bring the Spartan Kids Race into the mix and add it to the week of Dagger Dive. They showed up, set up an epic obstacle course, and the kids (plus one very determined adult!) tackled it with everything they had. It was a total hit!
Last year, unfortunately, the stars didn’t align and schedules got in the way. But this year? They were back in full force.
The McDonalds rolled in with a truck and trailer full of gear and hearts set on bringing the challenge. Headbands, medals, and some seriously impressive obstacles all came with them. It took many hands to get the course set up, and by dawn of Day 4, the field was ready, the kids were loaded into vans, and off they went to conquer the course—while their parents headed into Wellness Day sessions. (Truthfully, it was all perfectly timed since the Sunrise Room was needed for its AV capabilities anyway… win-win!)
The kids arrived ready to test their own strength, agility, and grit. Dan gave a quick orientation, and then they were off and—literally—running. (It's funny revisiting these first few images! The expressions on the kids faces are priceless. I think I see a little bit of doubt and uncertainty in there as Dan talked about what they had in front of them.)
I didn’t realize until they got going that each obstacle was separated by a lap. A full lap! And the older kids? They had to carry logs between stations! Let’s just say this was no walk in the park— I think this course was harder than many of the CrossFit WODs I’ve done in the past!
One of the tiniest competitors—somewhere between three and four years old—made it all the way around the loop. Incredible! Every single one of them showed up with determination and heart. Some ran like the wind, others walked when they needed to, but not a single one quit. And if you’ve ever run anything in upper-80s heat with high humidity, you’ll understand just how impressive that is.
And then there was Graham—our resident furry sidekick—who bounced along the sidelines, joining a few laps and bringing big energy (and smiles) to every pass. He might’ve been the most enthusiastic cheerleader out there! He definitely gave them the added energy as they headed around the corner one more time. Josh tried to give them a run for their money by adding a little extra competition as they started the next lap.
It’s easy to forget what you're capable of until you’re pushed. Watching these kids dig in, push through, and finish strong—despite the heat, the physical challenge, and the exhaustion—was nothing short of inspiring. They dug deep and every single one crossed that finish line a little stronger than when they started. They left with more than medals. They left with pride, confidence, and proof that they could do hard things.
Barely a week out and there’s already buzz about what next year’s course might look like—new tweaks, tougher challenges, even more fun. One thing’s for sure: next year, we’re hoping to run the Spartan event side-by-side with parents nearby. Because if the grownups could’ve seen what we saw? They’d be just as in awe of every single one of these amazing kids as we were. #resilient #strongkids #determined #dontstop #I-AM-IN-AWE!
If you’ve been following along, you know Dagger Dive is about more than just diving—it’s about connection, community, and shared experience. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes moments and stories from the week. You can follow me on Instagram/Facebook and subscribe to the blog to keep up with all the highlights.
There’s still so much more to share.
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2 Comments
Jul 6, 2025, 10:11:37 AM
Laura R - Awww I love this!! The confidence and character building is the absolute best!!!! Great photos❤️
Jul 6, 2025, 9:12:10 AM
Diana - What a wonderful way to serve and celebrate. Courage and beauty. Also, your photography is a true gift.