Quidditch at SAUGA
The Summer Academy at UGA, a series of educational summer day camps for 10-17 years olds, introduced a new Harry Potter themed camp called DAWGWarts to their camp schedule in 2006. Campers take classes similar to Harry's classes such as Charms (a class that teaches campers slight of hand magic tricks) and Care of Magical Creatures (a trip to Bear Hollow for classes on owls and snakes). Campers even participate in an earth-bound Quidditch match.
Amber Brock, the current Program Coordinator for SAUGA came up with a version of Quidditch that involves soccer, lacrosse, and Frisbee. “I tried to think of equivalents they may already have some experience with but keep the action of the game as similar as possible to the way described in the books,” she says.
The Keeper protects the goal, which is a hula-hoop on the ground. The two Chasers kick a soccer ball into the goal, and the Beater uses lacrosse sticks to propel lacrosse balls into the goal. The Seeker looks out for Snitches which are small Frisbees thrown into the playing field by assistants to the referee.
Brock comments that for many DAWGWarts campers, Quidditch is their favorite part of the week. “I’m always surprised at just how many adults wish they could participate when they find out about our camp! I always have a number of friends that are jealous of the fun we have,” Brock says.
Click here to read an article from the Athens Banner Herald about DAWGWarts Camp.