College Baseball Blog

Looking for a summer running camp

Around this time every year thousands of parents and their children begin their search for the perfect summer camp. From Baseball Camps to archery camps to running camps, parents will be doing their research to find the best match for their children’s interests, talents, skills and experience. And there is something for everyone.

For those parents who have sons and daughters who are runners and are looking for a running camp to attend there is good news. You now have one website where you can go to see the running camps available in all 50 states, with all the pertinent information needed to help you do your homework and choose the right camps for your runners.

My son’s high school cross country coach took the team up to Ellijay, Georgia every summer for a week of running in the mountains. He went above and beyond the call of duty in coordinating the camp and it paid off with three state team championships and three individual championships for my son. I am a believer in summer running camps, as long as they are done by people who know what they are doing. And that’s where there is more good news.

RunningCamps.org doesn’t just list the camps available. The site allows past and future camp attendees and their parents and coaches the opportunity to offer their assessments of their camp experiences. Parents need to know how runners, coaches and other parents value their camp experiences and whether they would recommend the camps to others. There is too much at stake. If a camp isn’t doing a good job, parents need to know so they don’t make the mistake of sending their children there. And the camps that are doing a good job are recognized and promoted.

The summer camp experience should be a great experience with awesome stories to share. Above all, this website guides parents to camps that will help their sons and daughters grow into stronger, smarter and more successful runners…ready to compete and excel.

So what should parents look for in a summer running camp?

Top 10 Things Parents Should Look For When Selecting a Running Camp

1. Staff – experienced in running a camp, successful in coaching, good reputation, low camper to staff ratio.

2. Planned Runs – trails should be safe, supervised by staff at critical places, varied and ability grouped.

3. Planned Educational Activities– sessions conducted by competent instructors that teach you about all aspects of training.

4. Planned Recreational Activities – supervised activities that are fun.

5. Planned Team Building Activities – supervised activities that are challenging, build a sense of team, and allow for leaders to emerge.

6. Scheduled Free Time – this should be included but limited if they are doing their job.

7. Inspirational Speakers – Accomplished collegiate or professional runners that will inspire the campers to push themselves to the next level.

8. Venue- facilities should be safe and adequate for the climate. They should have separate supervised dorms for boys and girls. Heat and air conditioning in the rooms is a plus. A college campus is the standard with many other good options. Night and day security is preferred.

9. Cafeteria – an all you care to eat is preferred. Menus should be healthy and palatable. Good luck with this one, opinions on this are all over the board.

10. Cost – check the price per day. Some go for a full 7 days others less for the same fee.

Where parents go wrong is in not taking the time to do their home work. Do your research. Talk to parents of runners who attended the camps you have an interest in. Talk to the runners. Above all, make sure you and the camp staff are all on the same page if anything goes wrong. If your runner is injured while running, everyone needs to know what you wish to happen. Dropping the ball here can be very costly in many ways. Communicate your expectations clearly to the camp staff so if anything bad happens, there is no confusion.

Summer running camps can be a springboard to a great cross country season. Whether it’s in the mountains of Georgia or on the shores of the Pacific, getting those miles in matters. Doing it right matters the most. But, doing it right with other committed and enthusiastic runners…well that’s just priceless.

About the Author

Joe Mizereck is the author of this article on Running Camps. Find more information on High School Runners here.

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