When (tentative dates):
- Check in between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, July 26
- Check out by 11am on Friday, July 31
The Big Picture:
The FPU Wilderness Studies Program is excited to host you at our high-elevation distance running camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Held at 8,200 ft. elevation just five miles above Huntington Lake in the Sierra national Forest, this 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 five-night, six-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. 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.
To keep costs down for the camper, we tent camp in an established group campground. This approach to sleeping literally cuts the cost of the camp in half. We provide the tents for everyone (2- to 10-person tents per request), as well as assemble a cool and high-quality campsite that facilitates our training needs, an authentic camp experience and the maximum amount of fun.
Who:
This camp is customized for any runner entering high school through any runner entering their freshman year in college. Likewise, this camp serves 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 runner will be fully challenged and fully inspired by their week with us.
Where:
Badger Flats is a massive group campground in the Sierra National Forest, located off Hwy. 168 near Snow Bend about five miles northeast of Huntington Lake. It easily accommodates up to 100 people, and the FLY program establishes the layout for all tents. A central group area for meals, group lessons, games and campfires is flanked on its sides by a girls and a boys camp. Most of the runs start at camp and explore either the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness or the Ansel Adams Wilderness. There is also a King and Queen of the Mountain day at nearby China Peak.
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 college coaches and 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 five nights and six 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. We provide a very basic backpacking sleeping mat, so feel free to bring additional pads if you wish.
- Personal items including towels, bathroom supplies, sunscreen. Basic outdoor showers are provided, so we also encourage bringing a packet of sanitation wipes for any additional scrubbing in the comfort of your own tent.
- 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 delicious hot meals a day, snacks available throughout the day, evening, and around the campfire, outdoor showers and use of the Badger Flats campground bathrooms.
- High-level coaching and mentoring, 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:
$500 per camper (athlete or coach)
*Sibling discount of $100 per child ($400 each)
*One coach FREE for every seven of their runners
Staff:
The FLY Camp Director is Ray Winter, Ph.D., FPU’s wilderness studies program coordinator. He has 28 years of coaching experience including the head men’s and women’s track & field and cross country coach at FPU from 2014 to 2025. During his tenure, FPU won both men’s and women’s conference titles and had All-Americans in both cross country and track & field. Coach Ray still loves trail running and triathlons competitively. He and his staff serve as counselors on the trail and in the residence spaces. The staff is selected for their quality of character, knowledge of the sport and ability to serve the full range of runners. We keep at least 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 run; dinner; camp introductory meeting; Team Olympics Round One; campfire; 10 p.m. quiet
- Day 2: morning run; breakfast; Big Talk 1: goals and commitments; lunch; free time; afternoon easy run option; core and pm treatment; dinner; Team Olympics Round Two; campfire fun; 10:00 p.m. quiet
- Day 3: morning long run; breakfast; Big Talk 2: mindset and visualization; lunch; lake day; Team Olympics Round Three; afternoon easy run option; core and pm treatment; dinner; campfire; 10:00 p.m. quiet
- Day 4: morning run; breakfast; Big Talk 3: culture & leadership; lunch; lake option; afternoon easy run option; core and pm treatment; dinner; Team Olympics Round Four; milkshakes/smoothies; guest speaker; campfire; stargaze hike; 10:00 p.m. quiet
- Day 5: morning run; breakfast; Big Talk 4: nutrition and sleep; lunch; Team Olympics Round Five; afternoon easy run option; core and pm treatment; dinner; campfire fun; guest speaker; 10:00 p.m. quiet
- Day 6: King/Queen of the Mountain run at China Peak; breakfast; Big Talk 5: principles of training; Ceremony of Commitment; pack and depart
Register:
- Register online
- Deadline: until full (85 campers), or Friday, July 10, 2026
- Once you register, additional documents will be sent to you
Questions?
Email: ray.winter@fresno.edu
Phone: 559-453-2260
