Camp: March 20 - 22, 2015

YMCA Camp Benson
Mount Carroll, IL

The one and only, and longest running adventure camp in the United States, will give aspiring first timers to experienced racers the skills and knowledge needed to participate and excel in adventure races. The camp is also ideal for adventurers who may not be not interested in racing but in adventure travel and for those preparing for mountaineering, rock climbing, backpacking, or canoe trips.

The focus of the camp is on fixed ropes (rappelling, ascending, Tyrolean traverses, zip lines), rock climbing, navigation with map and compass, mountain biking and canoe and kayak paddling.

Fixed ropes instruction will focus on safety, equipment, knots, and communication with plenty of hands on experience in the field with rappelling, ascending, and traversing on fixed ropes and rock climbing. The rappels, ascents, and climbs are on cliffs over 100' high and traverses of over 300' long.

Navigation instruction is presented in a classroom setting with an outstanding Power Point Presentation followed by an extensive field exercise in a small group setting at the Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna.

Paddle instruction will include a presentation on clothing selection, safety precautions, paddle selection, boat and hauling method selection, boat ergonomics, paddle stroke techniques to include forward and control, reading water/line selection, teamwork/communication, drafting/wake riding techniques, navigation, and setting up the boat. Skill stations on the Mississippi River will allow participants to practice strokes, boat control and turning, drafting/wake riding, and turning in and out of currents.

PARENTS...The camp is a wonderful opportunity to get your children involved in adventure racing. Last year alone there were more than 20 parents with their children learning, sharing, and competing side by side. As always, children pay only 1/2 the registration price.

The highlight of the camp is the LIGHTNING STRIKES 8 hour sprint adventure race on Sunday featuring land navigation, mountain biking, canoeing, caving and multiple fixed ropes. The race will feature two divisions, competitive and recreational. In the competitive division, New for 2015, SOLO, teams of two or three coed or same gender racers will compete. Coed and same gender teams of 3 will be attempting to qualify for the USARA National Championship. Prizes will be awarded to the winners in the competitive race for both the coed and same gender divisions. The winner of the three person coed competitive division will receive a $400 voucher towards the USARA National Championship Race. In addition, the top four, three person coed teams will qualify for the race. The LIGHTNING STRIKES Adventure Race is an excellent opportunity to qualify early in the season! The recreational race will run the same course as the competitive race. It will be a 4 hour race and approximately 25 miles in length. This race is run at your own pace and will feature all of the ropes events. It will start at the same time as the competitive 8 hour race.

The High Profile Adventure Camp's volunteer staff are all experienced adventure racers and adventurers. Each is highly skilled with backgrounds and expertise in the topics and disciplines presented.

2015 scheduled presenters include Gerry Voelliger, Ron Stonitsch, April Hernann, and Ellie Hernann. Additional presenters may be announced in the future.

The camp is presented by:

Gerry Voelliger
Director of the Thunder Rolls Adventure Race and High Profile Colorado Adventure Camp.

email: gerryv@teamhighprofile.com
web: www.thethunderrolls.org/camp.html