Students Stay Safe In Heat
Summer is in full swing, and so is Alabama State’s Band Camp.
This is the 40th year for these high school students from across the southeast to come together at the Montgomery campus.Â
And as usual, it’s hot.Â
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“It is hard, it is difficult and we really keep on that. I have two of my clinicians that watch the weather every day to make sure and know what the weather’s going to be like. If it’s too hot, we won’t come out,” said ASU Director of Bands James Oliver.
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The students are working all week towards a competition on Saturday. That means marching and practicing as much as possible. But Oliver says he’s always looking to make things safe.
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“We have to keep them hydrated. We keep a lot of water on the field. When they’re out there on the field we have to keep them hydrated again. What we do, we take 15, 20 minute breaks between practicing,” said Oliver.
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But getting that practice in the heat isn’t all bad. It’s good practice for some of the real world events these students will take part in.
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“These guys march in parades and parades are sometimes at the hottest time of the day as well and they have to feel that heat a little bit so we sort of put them,” said Oliver.
