When:
- Check in between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, July 13th
- Check out by 11am on Saturday, July 19th
The Big Picture:
The FPU Sunbird Cross Country team in collaboration with FPU Wilderness hosts a high elevation distance running camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Held at Camp Keola on the shores of Huntington Lake, CA, this 7,000 foot elevation camp is the perfect location to get the most out of your summer training and be both inspired and prepared to FLY in your upcoming season. The limitless miles of dirt trails woven through the pines as well as the many peaks that surround the clear lake waters will all be explored throughout the six-night, seven-day camp.
Just as we do at FPU, this camp focuses on developing the whole runner for optimal personal growth and competitive success— we focus on key aspects of the mind, body, and spirit. So runners can expect a daily long morning run, daily short afternoon run option, and a daily session on cross training, supplemental training, and self-care. Likewise, there are daily learning sessions focusing on essential performance concepts including mindset, visualization, goals and perspectives on success, team culture and leadership, nutrition, and emotional health.
Who:
This camp is customized for any runner entering high school through any runner entering their freshman year in college. Likewise, this is camp serves the team, training, and developmental needs of high school coaches as well!
Every ability level is welcome! Our professional coaching staff and collegiate athlete counselors facilitate training options for the beginner through the elite level. Based on the pre-camp information sent to us by each camper and coach, we customize the week to meet your level and needs for both fitness and fun. We believe that every single camper will be fully challenged and fully inspired by their week with us.
Where:
Camp Keola on the southwest shore of Huntington Lake, CA in the Sierra National Forest. This alpine lake serves as a perfect source of recreation and cross training, and the campground is comprised of wooden cabins that sleep between 8 to 16 athletes in rustic bunk-style cabins. Meals are all in the main dining lodge, and the camp facility includes a large campfire ring, volleyball court, and water recreation such as paddleboards and kayaks. China Peak Resort is also just around the lake. Located at the end of Hwy. 168, the street address is 69054 Huntington Lodge Rd., Lakeshore, CA 93634
Training:
Mileage and intensity will be customized for campers based on their needs, experience, readiness, and goals. In general, every camper participates in the primary run of the day in the morning and the midday core and drills session. The evening (pre-dinner) shakeout run is an option for those ready for or needing it. All running takes place on either single-track or fire road dirt trails and are led by counselors. The various aspects of training will be explored throughout the week including the long run, threshold running, and strength and speed development workouts and supplemental drills. Every run will have a variation of distance and intensity to suit all runners’ needs. There are also various time trials, relays, and races held on the last two days of camp that focus on fun, team building, and tradition. Among them is the King/Queen of the Mountain Time Trial that campers can opt into which takes place at nearby China Peak.
What to Bring:
- Bring all shoes and running apparel you’ll need for six nights and seven days, and whatever you want to swim in. Likewise, bring long layers for evening and morning chill times. Laundry services are not available at camp. Hand washing is always an option! You may want long tights and sleeves for morning runs if you’re sensitive to cold, but mornings will be in the low-50s to 60 degrees, and afternoons are between 75-90 degrees.
- A sleeping bag and pillow, or whatever bedding you prefer. Bare mattresses on bunkbeds is what you’re working with!
- Personal items including towels, bathroom supplies, sunscreen.
- Any personal training or self-care tools you may have such as rollers, massage guns, ropes and bands, compression boots, etc. We will also have all of these modalities available to campers.
- A little bit of cash if you want to get the occasional milkshake from nearby lakeside vendors (but we will have a smoothie/milkshake night!).
- As much fitness as you can stack before camp! Your fitness upon arrival will directly correlate to the amount of fun and fulfillment you’ll have.
What You Get:
- Of course, we provide all the food and shelter! Three hot meals a day, snacks available throughout the day and evening, hot showers and indoor restroom facilities.
- High-level coaching and mentoring from FPU Sunbirds staff and team, as well as top-tier guest speakers. Apply this knowledge and enjoy the gains.
- The best week of quality summer training imaginable. You’ll acquire fitness gains, have a ton of fun, and definitely make lifelong memories like only camp can give.
- A cool performance t-shirt.
- A booklet full of all the talking points in learning sessions, as well as all the forms related to every aspect of the complete runner we focus on.
Cost:
$950 per camper (athlete or coach)
*Siblings discount of $850 each
*One coach FREE for every seven of their runners
Staff:
Camp Directors include the coaching staff and the student-athletes of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø. Dr. Ray Winter is the Program Director for track & field and cross country at FPU, as well as the Program Coordinator of FPU’s Wilderness Studies Program. He has been the head coach since 2014, achieving both men’s and women’s conference titles and All-Americans in both cross country and track & field. Coach Ray still loves trail running and triathlon competitively.
Coach Jacob Resendez is the assistant distance coach for FPU and an alumnus of the program. During his time as a Sunbird, Coach Jacob ran PRs of 3:48 and 14:10 in the 1500m and 5000m, respectively.
Our Sunbirds distance athletes will serve as counselors on the trail and in the residence spaces. These collegiate athletes have been selected for their quality of character, knowledge of the sport, and ability to serve the full range of runners. We keep a 10:1 ratio of campers to counselors, so campers will have significant access to the time and attention of the counselors all week.
Hypothetical Itinerary:
- Day 1: evening shakeout; dinner; camp introductory meeting; Cabin Olympics; 10pm quiet
- Day 2: morning run; breakfast; Big Talk 1: goals and assessment; lunch; free time; afternoon run; core and pm shakeout; dinner; campfire fun; 10pm quiet
- Day 3: morning long run; breakfast; Big Talk 2: mindset and visualization; lunch; free time; afternoon run; core and pm shakeout; dinner; campfire option; movie night option; 10pm quiet
- Day 4: morning tempo run; breakfast; Big Talk 3: culture & leadership; lunch; free time; afternoon run; core and pm shakeout; dinner; milkshakes; guest speaker; campfire; stargaze hike; 10pm quiet
- Day 5: morning speed play run; breakfast; Big Talk 4: nutrition and sleep; lunch; Cabin Olympics II; afternoon run; core and pm shakeout; dinner; campfire fun; guest speaker; karaoke; 10pm quiet
- Day 6: breakfast; China Peak uphill run; lunch; free time; dinner; Big Talk 5: principles of training; campfire commitments; 10pm quiet
- Day 7: Inspiration Point sunrise run; breakfast; shower; depart
Register:
- Register online
- Deadline: until full (112 campers), or Friday, June 27, 2025
- Once you register, additional documents will be sent to you
Questions:
Email or call Coach Jacob Resendez at jacob.resendez@fresno.edu or (559) 453-2260
Contact
Email: ray.winter@fresno.edu
Phone: 559-453-2260
