Cross Country Camp at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Ariana Papcun, Writer

Each summer, the cross country team holds a camp at Sleeping Bear Dunes. The camp this year will take place July 21-24 and has numerous activities planned for the athletes like bonfires, team bonding and a beach day— all with a lot of running involved.

“It’s a time for all the team to get up there and get some good miles in,” Cross Country Coach Kelley Miller said. “The team bonds and just hangs out and enjoys each other’s company. It’s basically roughing it.” 

Although she won’t be attending camp this year, junior Abby Logan has attended the camp for the past three years and always enjoyed it. 

“I love cross camp,” Logan said. “It is a lot of work and there is a lot of running. We do a lot of team bonding at night with bonfires and it’s really fun to get to know everyone. My favorite part about cross country camp was being off the grid, I liked how we slept in tents and had bonfires and went swimming. We also hardly used our phones.” 

Participating in the camp encourages team bonding as well as provides the athletes with dedicated time to spend with their friends and teammates over the summer.

“I’m looking forward to the team camaraderie while coaching at camp,” Miller said. “It’s the point in the season where everyone becomes friends and changes the dynamics of the team and everyone becomes one. That’s what I’m most excited about.”

The camp is in northern Michigan, in Glen Arbor, which is a campground right by the sand dunes. 

According to athletes that have attended in the past, cross country camp will be full of friendships, teamwork and discipline. Anyone who is interested in running cross country in the fall or anyone who is up for the challenge can attend the camp.  For more information, contact Coach Kelley Miller or visit fentontigers.org, the fenton athletics website.