HIGH CASCADES YOUTH TRAIL CAMP
Two of the best trail running athletes in the world are teaming up to bring you an unforgettable trail running experience. A youth trail running camp experience for ages 13-19 designed to bring a complete awareness to your time in the wilderness. Learn the in's and out's of trail running, how to stay safe deep in the mountains, and find that deeper connection to the world around you.
Joe is a master at ultra-distance running having won the 250 mile Cocodona Trail Race and set the PCT Record. Max is a shorter distance specialist with two world championship titles. Together they will teach trail running technique, how to move from the track/xc to the trails, healthy nutrition on and off the run, trail etiquette, map reading and navigation skills. Come join us for a week of incredible running and learning.
MORE THAN JUST A RUNNING CAMP
HERE IS A VIDEO FROM OUR 2018 CAMP TO GET YOU EXCITED!
Our Location - Camp Sheppard BSA Camp near Crystal Mountain Washington
Camp Amenities - We want you to immerse yourself in the wilderness while at camp. While you'll have a bed and roof over your head, there will be no cellular reception. We hope this will provide you with a relaxing and distraction free week.
Your accommodations are a rustic but nice lodge in the woods. Lodging will be in bunk cabins with a large common area for reading, socializing, meals, and hanging out in.
We feel like a rustic vibe brings a more authentic experience to a few days spent out in the woods.
The Daily Schedule – Just getting runs on beautiful trails every day is the easy part and you could do that anywhere, anytime. We want you to get something out of this camp you can take home and put to good use in your own running, that’s why we’ll be teaching technical running form, downhill trail running, nutrition guidelines, trail building skills, outdoor navigation, trail etiquette, and more.
How To Prepare - We want you to enjoy your time at camp and one of the ways to do that is to come prepared. While this is a camp for all abilities, there are some strenuous activities that will test your limits no matter who you are. The stronger you come in, the more fun you'll have. We highly recommend being able to run 4-6 miles without stopping and encourage parents with athletes younger than 14 to contact us before signing up.
What To Bring - Your packing list should include the basics without much fluff. In other words, you won't need the kitchen sink. See the “To Bring List” link to the right.
Weather - Summer weather in Washington in July is typically really nice and stable but we are in the mountains so it can also be highly variable. I would come prepared for heat, rain, cool temperatures and everything in between. Please pack with that in mind and bring warm clothing for running and nighttime camp fires.
CAMP SPECIFICATIONS
LOCATION – Camp Sheppard, WA
ELEVATION – 2600ft
CREW – 5
RUNNING MILEAGE – 30-50mi
CAMPERS – 25-40
ACTIVITIES and TEACHING
Trail Running
Trail Maintenance
Nutrition Planning
Map Reading
Compass Use
Wilderness Preparation
Trail Etiquette
DOWNLOADS
To Bring List
Tentative Camp Schedule
How to Prepare
PHOTOS
What to expect at a week of the High Cascades Trail Running Camp
Guided runs on varying terrain and distance on a different trail every day
Instruction in trail running form, nutrition, strength and conditioning, run recovery, map and compass navigation, wilderness ethics,
A day of trail maintenance and instruction in forest stewardship
To push your limits both physically and mentally and learn how to push yourself further than you thought possible
Delicious and healthy homemade meals prepared by our incredible chef
A swag package from our amazing sponsors that will make you think it's your birthday, but better
Comfortable but rustic lodging in bunk style rooms
Gather around the evening camp fire(depending on fire restrictions) to roast marshmallows and recount the stories of the day
A sunset run to share an inspiring moment with fellow campers
A map and compass workshop and mini orienteering event to hone your new skills
Included in your camp fees:
Amazing healthy homecooked meals starting with lunch on your arrival day and breakfast on your departure.
Guided trail runs on a different spectacular trail every day
Map and Compass tools for our navigation workshop
Nutrition products from GU for all runs during the week
Transportation to/from runs and events from Monday afternoon through Friday morning
Camp seminars on nutrition, running form and technique, forest stewardship, trail maintenance, and more
An epic adventure that you didn't know you had in you
Comfortable but rustic accommodations in open bunk style rooms with other campers
An incredible once in a lifetime trail camp experience
Transportation
Transportation from Monday afternoon through Friday morning is included during camp. Transportation to and from camp on Monday and Friday will be available to limited locations.
Vans will be departing from Bend Monday morning July 7th for camp in Washington. Depending on flights we may be able to accommodate an airport pick up from the Redmond, OR (RDM) or Seattle (SEA) as well on Sunday or Monday.
Coming on your own?
Camp Sheppar is about 35min Southeast of Enumclaw, WA on Hwy 410, or 60min West of Yakima on Hwy 410 .
Flying in? The closest airport is the Seattle-Tacoma Airport 1hr away or the Redmond Airport (RDM) 5hrs away.
Safety
Your child's safety is our most important camp priority. With that in mind we'll create a safe environment for our campers from the time they meet us on the first day to when they leave camp. We will be in wilderness and remote settings but runs will be set up so that in case of sudden weather events we can reach shelter and relative safety as quickly as possible. Our staff has Wilderness First Aid, CPR, SafeSport and other coaching certifications to be prepared in case of emergency.
Scholarships now available!
We've recently obtained a very generous donations to be used toward camp scholarships. Need some help with camp costs? Apply for a scholarship for a little extra help.
Our Crew
The perfect team — Experience, knowledge, and a desire to teach youth exemplifies a top notch group of mentors.
Max King, Co-Director
Max has done a little bit of everything. From the roads and the track to trails and mountains he enjoys the sport of running and want to pass on what he's learned over the years. He's excited to share his experiences and knowledge in a small camp setting and instill a passion for adventure.
He lives in Bend, OR with his wife and two adventurous kids. He has multiple world championship titles and has run on trails all over the world with some of his favorite trails right here in Oregon.
Joe McConaughy, Co-director
Joe McConaughy is a professional athlete and running coach living in North Seattle, WA. Joe has been coaching for over 8 years working with individuals looking to run the mile up to 100+ mile races. Joe is an alumni of Shorecrest High School in Seattle (go Scots!)
I finished my collegiate track career as a miler at Boston College in 2014. I got my nickname ‘Stringbean’ when I became the fastest person to run the 2,660 mile Pacific Crest Trail after running at Boston College for four years.
Since the Pacific Crest Trail, I’ve gone on to become an experienced ultrarunner, fastpacker and running coach. However, my path wasn’t straightforward. I struggled with racing. It took me years before I started to realize my potential. Now, I want to be a resource and mentor for the next generation of trail runners. I want to build relationships; to increase the diversity of the people who participate in my sport; to guide runners to reach limits they never could’ve dreamed of."
Emily Abreu
Emily brings the stoke to camp! If you’re struggling, she will enthusiastically encourage you to keep going and make it to the finish.
She always has a smile on and always ready to help with anything.
She resides in Bend, OR and you can usually find her on some new running adventure, or snuggling her cat on the couch at home.
Jackson Brill
Jackson has been a part of the MKTRC camps for several years now and is an instrumental member of the team. He brings the stoke.
Jackson is a trail and mountain runner with extensive experience in the mountains. He has international racing experience including the World Championships and Skyrunning races.
