Nike Cross Country Camp Oberlin College
Average Rating Stars
SERIOUS FUN
CANCELLED in 2023
- Nearby Camp Locations:
- Nike Cross Country Camp at Winona State University (Winona, MN)
- Nike Cross Country Camp at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN)
The Nike XC Camp at Oberlin College is located 25 miles southwest of Cleveland in the small town of Oberlin, Ohio.
Oberlin College is the ideal setting for High School Cross Country runners to experience first hand what it feels like to be a collegiate athlete. Campers train in one of the best college towns in Ohio and receive comprehensive running instruction from an enthusiastic and experienced Oberlin coaching staff, including Head Coach Ray Appenheimer.
Oberlin College is an integral part of the city of Oberlin and we are thrilled to host the Nike XC Camp once again this summer.
Highlights Include
- Overnight and Day Camp Options
- Top College Coaching with Ray Appenheimer
- Informative and Experienced Guest Speakers
- Post-Camp Goal Setting and Training Tools
- Video Analysis
- Camp open to High School XC Runners ages 13-17
- Lunch is included for day campers
- Nike Running Camp T-shirt
- View More Details ⟩
Camp Coaches
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Camp Director Ray Appenheimer
Ray Appenheimer enters his 18th season as the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Oberlin College in 2021-22. During his tenure, Appenheimer has built Oberlin’s track and field and cross country programs into perennial powers in the nation, region and the North Coast Athletic Conference.
View Ray's Bio & Cross Country Tips ⟩
Camp Details
SECURE YOUR SPOT!
You can expect a high demand on these first-come-first-serve camper spots, so please be sure to register early.
The Nike XC Camp at Oberlin College helps High School XC runners of all abilities to develop and compete at the highest level.
Athletes master the fundamentals, develop proper mechanics and gain valuable race experience. The camp emphasizes training for XC/Distance Running, with the overall goal of developing good habits that lead to even better results.
Oberlin is just 35 minutes from downtown Cleveland. Families can take in a professional baseball game, a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or tremendous fine arts scene - the world renowned Cleveland Orchestra and art gallery. Just 45 minutes from campus is Cedar Point Amusement Park, home of some of the world's best roller coasters.
The staff at Oberlin has had considerable success developing young men and women student-athletes, and we bring the same principles to our campers. We also emphasize teaching and the quality of our campers’ experiences. We provide a fun, engaging environment that helps foster a love of running, a sense of community among campers, and a springboard for a successful fall cross country season.
2024 OVERVIEW
- Dates: 2024 Dates Coming Soon. Join Priority List!
- Age Group: 13-17
- Gender: Co-ed
- Camp Type: Overnight, Day
- Meals: All meals are provided at the on-campus dining facility. Day campers do NOT receive breakfast or dinner
CAMP SCHEDULE
- Check-in: (Overnight) Sunday, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
- Check-out: (All campers) Thursday, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
- Location: Barrows Hall- Oberlin College
- Day Camper Schedule: Monday-Wednesday, 8:15 AM-5:30 PM; Thursday, 8:15 AM-10:00 AM
- View the campus map here
Overnight campers should be prepared to run following check-in on Sunday, the first session will start at 4:00 pm.
PREPARE FOR CAMP: COMPLETE YOUR PRE-CAMP CHECKLIST
To view your customer account, complete your mandatory forms, pay balance dues, and review important camp information, visit Pre-Camp Checklist.
All necessary camp information is on this page. If there are any imperative changes prior to camp start, registered campers will be notified via email and this webpage will be updated!
HOUSING
- Dorm: Barrows Hall
- Campers Per Room: 2
- Bathroom Type: Shared in hall
- Roommates: Rooms are assigned by age & roommate requests. Roommate requests must be received no later than 14 days before the start of camp. If you don't have a roommate request, you will be placed in a room with someone near your age. It will be a great opportunity to meet someone new!
- Linens: Not provided
- Air Conditioning: No, fan recommended
- Key Deposit: We do not require a room key or meal card deposit. However, if you do not return your key or meal card on the last day of camp, you will be responsible for all replacement charges from the host facility. US Sports Camps will charge the camper credit card on file for all costs due.
Staff members reside in campers’ quarters and participate in all activities.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE FEES:
- Overnight Campers: Features several instructional sessions per day, three hot meals, and lodging in residence halls. An evening recreation program is also included.
- Day Campers: This option offers the same features as the resident camp minus lodging, breakfast, and dinner (Day Campers should eat breakfast before daily check-in).
INSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT & FACILITY
- Ratio: 1:10
- Grouped by: age, ability, current mileage, and XC experience
- Equipment needed: Campers should bring at least two pairs of broken in running shoes. Racing flats/spikes are optional. Please be sure to properly mark your equipment, so that it can be easily identified.
- Facility: The Kahn Track & Fried Shults Field, and surrounding trails.
CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING:
Below is a suggested list of clothes, equipment and personal items. US Sports Camps is NOT responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.
ALL CAMPERS:
- Extra Athletic clothing
- 1-2 pairs of broken in running shoes/ event spikes
- Non-running shoes
- Water bottle
- Sunblock
- Packed lunch and snacks
- Small gym bag/backpack
- Extra spending money (suggested $40)
OVERNIGHT CAMPERS ONLY:
- Athletic clothing mentioned above
- Comfortable non-running clothing
- Underwear and socks
- Pajamas/sleepwear
- Flip flops
- Toiletries
- Personal items & medications
- Washcloth and bath towel
- Alarm clock
- Swimsuit and towel
- Flip-flops
- Pen and paper for notes during guest speakers
- Cell phone (if you have one)
- Fan (optional)
- Pillow, pillowcase, bed sheets, comforter or sleeping bag (linens are NOT provided)
- Laundry detergent
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is not provided. Campers are responsible for getting to and from camp on their own. There is no supervision before or after camp hours so please make arrangements to pick up your child on time.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL
Most camps have an athletic trainer on-site to help with illness or injury. In case of an emergency, campers will be transported to the nearest hospital.
COMPANY POLICIES
For information regarding our cancellation policy and all other company policies, please visit USSC Policies.
NIKE CROSS COUNTRY CAMP FAQ
For general questions about our Cross Country camps please see our FAQ page.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 7:00am Wake up
- 7:15am - 8:15am Breakfast - Stevenson Dining Hall
- 8:15am (Day Campers) Check-In
- 8:30am - 9:00am Morning fitness at Kahn Track
- 9:00am - 9:45am Guest speakers & announcements
- 10:00am Progression run at Oberlin Reservoir
- 12:30pm Lunch
- 1:30pm Guest speakers & individual running mechanics analysis
- 2:15-3:45pm Breakout sessions
- 4:00pm Pacing Practice
- 5:30pm Day Campers - Daily Checkout & Departure
- 5:30pm - 6:30pm Dinner
- 7:00pm - 10:00pm Recreational activities - special lectures, pool time, bowling, games etc.
- 10:00pm Curfew & room check
- 10:30pm Lights out - quiet hours begin
Campers train at Oberlin College’s new Bob Kahn Track and Fred Shults Field. Completed in fall 2008, the Bob Kahn Track is an eight-lane, Beynon, single-pour surface, similar to the track at historic Hayward Field. We also run on the adjacent Oberlin College Nature Trail – a fast, wood chip trail that starts just a few hundred meters from the track.
Camp Questions & Answers
When and where will the check-in and check-out take place for the Oberlin Running Camp?
Overnight campers check in to camp between 1:00-3:00 pm at the entrance to Griswold Commons, the center entrance to the Stevenson Building on Sunday, first day of camp. Follow the signs on campus to registration.
After a closing /graduation ceremony at 10:00 a.m., check out takes place at Burton Hall, the last day of camp.
How much running should I have done prior to camp?
Your chances of having a successful camp increase greatly if you have a solid running base coming into camp. We suggest talking with your high school coach for a program to get you ready.
How are runners placed in their running groups?
The staff has created a formula that determines running groups. Groups are based on a combination of running background, age, recent mileage, season best 5k, and long runs. A change in groups can be accommodated if staff members leading those groups feel it is needed.
How much do we run at camp?
We run once on Sunday, twice daily Monday to Wednesday, and once again on Thursday. The amount of running varies given your age and running background.
Can I come to camp alone or do I have to be a member of a team?
We welcome individual campers and teams. If you come to camp by yourself, we place you in a dorm room with another single camper, similar in age. It's a great place to meet new friends who share your enthusiasm for the sport and to have FUN!
Are there chances to sit down one on one with the coaches?
Absolutely! There are plenty of opportunities after runs, at meals, and in the evenings to sit down and talk with the coaches.
What activities occur in the evenings?
Plenty of great stuff! We have a game night, pool night, movie night and bowling night most years.
Are the campers supervised throughout the camp?
Yes, campers are supervised by the coaches and staff. Staff members reside in the same dorms as the campers and provide supervision during instruction, dining times, evening activities, and in the dorm.
All staff members complete criminal and sex offender background checks before working the camp.
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes, the dining hall provides well-rounded meals using locally sourced foods. From the picky eaters to those who are vegetarian/vegan, to those who require special gluten-free meals, our dining services work very hard to meet the needs for all our campers.
Do we do anything other than run?
Yes! To be a better runner you can’t just run - you also have to get stronger and make yourself more resilient to injury. Before every running session we take all campers through a series of general strength exercises meant to strengthen the core, legs, and upper body. We also introduce campers to different weight room exercises and perform a running gait analysis on each athlete.
Are there guest speakers?
Yes! Most days we will have a guest speak to the group in the morning and will have another guest present in the afternoon. Previous speakers have included a Sports Psychologists, highly accomplished high school cross country coaches, sports nutritionist, exercises physiologist, even a three-time Olympian.
How many campers are placed in a dorm and do you accommodate roommate requests?
When you register for the camp, you have an option to submit a roommate request. If you would like to add a roommate request after registering for a camp, please feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We accommodate all roommate requests, made before 2 weeks before the start of camp. Campers who do not submit a roommate request will be placed in a dorm with other runners, similar age and same gender.
Do the dorms have air-conditioning?
Dorms are NOT air-conditioned. Bring a fan.
Does the Health & Release Form need to be signed by a doctor?
Our Health & Release Form does not require a doctor’s signature. This form is to be completed online and is required to be filled out accurately, signed by the parent (guardian), and submitted before arrival at camp.
Camp Reviews
Overall Average Rating Stars
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Tremendous job!
Max had an amazing week - really liked the counselors and the location. Perfect weather for running. It was not as competitive as I'd expected but was just what he wanted! Keep kids busy enough with hiking/meetings and he loved playing beach volleyball every night. Said food was solid. All in all met great kids- ran well- and plans to go back
— Parent of Attendee from This Camp in 2022
Nike Cross Country Camp Oberlin College
/media/images/running/nike/facilities/Oberlin-College-Campus.jpgOberlin, Ohio 44074
SECURE YOUR SPOT – CAMPS SELL OUT!
Last year over 650 Sports Camps sold out, leaving 7,000+ campers on the waitlist. Due to high demand, early registration for our first-come-first-serve camps is strongly recommended.
Camp Dates & Prices
New Camp Dates Coming Soon!
Please join the Priority List to be notified when this program opens for 2023 registrations.
