Group of children and adults in outdoor clothing, hiking in front of a snow-capped mountain under a clear blue sky.

elite Middle School Camp

Elite Middle School Camp
$975.00 $1,175.00

Early Bird Special ends June 1st.

Located in Welches, Oregon at the base of Mt. Hood, the Youth Runner Elite Middle School Camp is nestled in a forest of Douglas Fir trees and borders the Sandy River. There are trails throughout camp and a big mountain meadow for workouts and drills.

register here

Exploration, play, and building confidence

Middle School | ages 11-14

We offer the Commuter Day camp for $675, early bird $575

Four nights and five days of trail runs, inspiration, and learning. Running activities, competitions, and pool time.

Includes: Cabin lodging, all meals/snacks, activities, and pool. evening campfires, and full supervision.

Dates
August 3-7th with an early arrival option Sunday the 2nd for families traveling to the camp.

Icon of a calendar with a grid representing days, in black on a light background.

Time
Regular check in is Monday at 10:00 am. Departure is 11:30 Friday.

A round wall clock showing the time as 2:10 on a beige background.

Location
24075 E. Arrah Wanna Blvd. Welches, OR 97067

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Some things to expect at camp

Lodging

You'll be staying in Judson Lodge with boys in one wing and girls on the opposite wing. The rooms have bunk beds and you'll have 2-5 roommates. You'll bring your own sleeping bag and towels.There is a great room with a fireplace and couches that is our main gathering spot for talks and games. At night we have smoothies and other snacks here.

Day trip over the mountain

Wednesdays you'll get a sack lunch to go and hop on a bus that takes us to Timothy Lake. Warmups next to the water and head out for a 9-mile run. Out and back to Little Crater Lake. You'll be running on the famous Pacific Crest Trail. It's not a race. You'll run with others at your same level. We finish up with lunch at the lake and a coach talk before the bus ride back to camp.

Starting out the day

At 7:15 Coach Nick will lead you in some drills and a 30-45 min shake out run before breakfast. The meals are in the Dining Hall which is a ten minute walk from our lodge.

We watch race videos during meals, many from our own coaches and athletes. Along with Olympics and other championship events. After breakfast we have a coach talk or guest speaker. A learning workout or activity. Then lunch. Similar schedule in the afternoon ending with pool time and dinner.

Running journal

Everyone receives a Running Journal so you can take notes during talks and record daily activities. You'll record how you felt, the daily runs, speaker notes, and what you learned.

Camp Schedule

Arrival + Check-In

  • Sunday
    Early arrivals begin after 4:00 PM
    Settle into cabins, meet staff, and get ready for the week.

  • Monday
    Main camper check-in takes place between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM
    Camp officially kicks off with our first full afternoon together.

Daily Camp Rhythm

Each day at Mt. Hood Elite Camp follows a consistent flow of training, recovery, and fun:

Mornings

  • 7:00 AM Wake up

  • 7:20 AM Morning run + drills

  • 8:30 AM Breakfast

  • 9:15 AM Guest speakers + running talks

Midday

  • 11:00 AM Group activity or team session

  • 12:30 PM Lunch

  • 1:15 PM Special guest presentations

Afternoons

  • 2:00 PM Camp activity or skills work

  • 3:00 PM Afternoon run

  • 4:00 PM Pool time + recovery

  • 5:00 PM Free time

Evenings

  • 5:30 PM Dinner

  • 6:30 PM Phone time

  • 7:00 PM Running journals + games

  • 8:00 PM Night program
    (Movies, discussions, skits, bonfires, and s’mores)

Special Adventure Day

Wednesday: Timothy Lake Day Trip
Midweek, campers head out for a highlight of the week:
a day trip to Timothy Lake, featuring a scenic 9-mile run on the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Full Camp Experience

Mt. Hood Elite Camp is designed to balance:

  • High-level training

  • Inspiring guest speakers

  • Team-building and friendships

  • Outdoor adventure in the mountains

  • Fun nights and unforgettable memories

What to pack

  • water bottle

  • running shorts

  • plenty of socks

  • running shirts

  • running pants

  • sweatshirt, warm clothing (it can get cold, especially at night)

  • light running jacket

  • 2 pairs of running shoes (regular training shoes + a pair suitable for trails)

  • chapstick, hat

  • pajamas

  • swimsuit

  • jeans/"Regular" clothing (not required), but if you want to get out of running gear

  • coin-operated laundry units available (not used often, but they exist)

  • Flashlight and batteries-optional

  • Personal items such as toothpaste & shampoo

  • Light backpack for our trail runs if you have one. 

  • Optional - Sunglasses

  • Towel(s)

  • Sleeping Bag - There is NO BEDDING provided at this camp. If you're flying in we can provide a sleeping bag, pillow, and towel for you. Please let us know ahead of time.

  • Light rain jacket.....it's August and we don't expect any rain, although mother nature lets a few drops fall down just because she can.

  • We’ll provide mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

*Spending money-if your camper will be at the airport, they will probably need some money..The snack bar at night is included at Mt. Hood.  We’ll have some YR Hoodies for sale on the last day of camp; otherwise, there is nothing to spend money on.

Camp Location

Airport pickup is available as a paid option at registration.

If your camper is an unaccompanied minor, make sure to comply with the airline’s policy.

and the proper paperwork.

 

❊ FAQs

You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers

  • Middle School Camp is 11-14. Incoming freshman that are still 14 is ok.

  • All inclusive overnight camp with three meals and snacks. Camp shirt and singlet. There will be some merch available at the end of camps.

  • Fill out the contact form and request a scholarship. Have your camper, in his-her own words say why they’ like to come to YR Camp and what they hope to gain from the experience.

    • water bottle

    • running shorts

    • plenty of socks

    • running shirts

    • running pants

    • sweatshirt, warm clothing (it can get cold, especially at night)

    • light running jacket

    • 2 pairs of running shoes (regular training shoes + a pair suitable for trails)

    • chap stick, hat

    • pajamas

    • swimsuit

    • jeans/"Regular" clothing (not required) but if you want to get out of running gear

    • coin-operated laundry units available (no one has ever used them but they exist)

    • Flashlight and batteries-optional

    • Personal items such as toothpaste & shampoo

    • Light backpack for our trail runs if you have one. 

    • Optional - Sunglasses

    • Towel(s)

    • Sleeping Bag - There is NO BEDDING provided at this camp. If you're flying in we can provide a sleeping bag, pillow and towel for you. Please let us know ahead of time.

    • Light rain jacket.....it's August and we don't expect any rain but sometimes mother nature lets a few drops fall down just because she can.

    • We’ll provide mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

    *Spending money-if your camper will be at the airport they will probably need some money..The snack bar at night is included at Mt. Hood.  We’ll have some YR Hoodies for sale on the last day of camp otherwise there is nothing to spend money on.

  • Yes.

  • Yes! While we encourage full-week participation for the best experience, we also offer flexible options for single-day registration based on availability.

    Options are Four Nights-Five Days OR we offer a Commuter-Day Camper choice.

    Commuters will arrive in time for our morning run by 7:15 am and depending on the parents schedule stay until 9:00 pm. Participating in everything the overnight campers do except that they go back to their own bed or hotel in the evening. 

    There is no option to come just for a single day.

Athletes at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
A young girl with a braid wearing a athletic tank top, sitting outdoors, writing in a notebook with a pen at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Three boys sitting outdoors, at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Children and teenagers doing a balancing exercise at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of children running and jumping on dirt path outdoors near a lake at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of athletes and teenagers gathered at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of ten young girls standing on a sandy lakeshore, smiling, with a lake and forested hills in the background on a sunny day. Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of athletes and teenagers participating in an outdoor trail run in a wooded area, at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Kids running outdoors in a grassy field with trees in the background, participating in a race or running event at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
A group of young girls running outdoors on a grassy field surrounded by trees during the daytime. The Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Young athletes running together in a grassy outdoor area during a race or running event. The Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of kids running outdoors in a race through a grassy field with trees in the background. The Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Young boys and girls running in a cross-country race outdoors in a green, wooded area. The Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of children participating in a cross-country race outdoors in a forested area, wearing athletic clothes and running on a trail marked with pink flags. The Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of young boys and adults sitting on a log during an outdoor event in a forest at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of young athletes and adults sitting in a circle around a campfire in a forest during daytime, listening to a person standing and speaking. The Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of kids and women sitting outdoors on logs in a forest, some wearing athletic clothing, at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
A group of smiling boys sitting outdoors in a wooded area, clapping and enjoying themselves at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Group of young girls sitting outdoors on a log, smiling and engaging in a discussion, with one man standing behind them in a forest setting at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Three boys standing outdoors on grass, smiling and with arms around each other, two wearing black t-shirts with "Youth Runner Elite Camp" logo, one shirtless wearing colorful swim shorts with flamingos.
Three young girls in blue athletic jerseys with 'YOUTH RUNNER ELITE CAMP' printed on them, smiling and standing outdoors with trees in the background.
A young boy in a gray shirt and red cap engaged in conversation with an older man in a blue shirt and black cap during an outdoor running event, with several other participants in the background at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
A group of 14 children, mostly shirtless or in casual athletic clothes, gathered around a large tree in a forest, smiling and posing for a photo at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps
Three young boys running on a dirt trail in a wooded area, wearing blue athletic shirts that say 'youth RUNNER ELITE' and shorts.
A group of young girls in athletic clothing and backpacks study a trail map at Timothy Lake area in a forest, with a park ranger or instructor pointing at the map at the Elite Middle School Camp at Youth Runner Camps