Hitting the trails in Northwest Camp

Sixty-six runners, ranging from sixth-graders to incoming high school seniors, descended on Sisters Country from June 27 to July 1, for the Great Northwest Cross-Country Running Camp, hosted by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD).

Josh Nordell, head coach of Sisters High School's cross-country team, told The Nugget that the older runners cover 12 to 15 miles a day, while the younger trainees cover nearly six miles each day. Up early for breakfast, the runners hit the trails at various Central Oregon locations, including Round Lake, Smith Rock, and this year ran a rugged trail from Hoodoo Ski Area to Suttle Lake.

Nordell said that the running camp isn't just for running, however, explaining that the camp is divided into "Olympic Teams," and that the kids compete in various challenges over the course of the week including relays, shelter-building, tug-of-war and canoe races without paddles.

Tom Swinford, a cross-country coach from Newport, Oregon, told The Nugget that he finds the summer running camp to be very important for his athletes.

"It's a long way from home (for many of the runners) and a different part of the state. I'm a lifelong Oregonian, and sharing this piece of our state is a big thing. Getting them out of their environment and training for five days allows them to find out where their weaknesses are."

Swinford told The Nugget that "cross-country depends on summer training," and that the Sisters camp, held earlier in the year than most other camps, allows the runners to build a memory base for later in the season.

Geoff Lytwyn, who as a former camp attendee returned this year to serve as a counselor, said "This camp gets you in the mood for running. It's nice to be out on the trails here. It builds better conditioning, and builds better cross-country teams through team bonding."

Lytwyn noted that he has attended the cross-country camp since its inauguration three years ago, and believes that each year it is getting better and better.

Liam Hughes, executive director of SPRD, echoed that sentiment, noting that in its first year the camp hosted 23 runners, and has "grown dramatically each year."

Hughes expects the camp's reputation to continue growing, and the number of runners attending each year to follow accordingly. Hughes noted that SPRD strives to run its programs for local children at cost, and that camps such as the Great Northwest help subsidize those efforts.

"It's a really good camp because we strive to keep a balance of activities. The kids are either out on the trails running, out rafting, canoeing, at the aquatic park, or even building shelters. It's a good mix for a summer camp," Hughes said, noting SPRD's appreciation for the cooperation from Oregon State Parks.

SPRD also wished to thank The Belfry for donating their kitchen to help feed the hungry runners, GFP Enterprises for donating yurts for the camp attendees to sleep in, and Sisters Middle School for providing showering facilities after long days running the trails of Central Oregon.