IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ - Camp Requirements & Information (Athletes)

ALSO SCROLL DOWN AFTER THE MAIN INFORMATION TO SEE FAQs; PRIMARILY FOR NEW ATHLETES 

None of the information given after the requirements will matter if your athlete does not meet the following three requirements:

1. Your athlete has run 100 miles, and has recorded evidence of this, from June 3rd - August 12th and has turned in her written training log on the first day of practice (August 12th). (Considerations can be made if there is an injury situation or the like, that has been discussed with me in advance, but athletes should try to run consistently over the summer, and should NOT try to cram a huge amount of miles in the last two weeks in order to make it to camp).

2. Your athlete has an up to date physical on file in the Athletic Office, at the latest, by August 12th by 7:30 a.m. FinalForms must be completed to participate in practices and meets (and camp).

3. Your athlete attended the first day of practice (August 12th)...unless excused by me prior to practice starting, but this is suboptimal. 

• Camp permission form below to copy/paste and print. Otherwise I will have them on hand the first day of practice. Please have this turned in with your payment not later than at practice on Monday, August 12th at the latest. 

• August 13th. Plan on athletes arriving with their gear, at 10:00 a.m. (It will take 45-60 minutes to load the bus), so our goal will be to leave not later than 11:30. If you show up late it will make it difficult to pack the buses. Plan on being picked up around 2:30-3:00 p.m. on the 18th. (If you are registering for your locker/parking spaces/etc the day we leave...get to the buses right after that).

$120 per athlete. (Each additional athlete in the same household is $60).  If you are choosing to write a check, please make it out to TKHS.

• Each athlete will also need to supply one 24-count case of bottled water to have throughout the week.

More information about camp…

• Athletes will be camping in tents. You will need to bring one to share or share with someone who has a tent.

• Athletes will be asked to use their phones at a very limited capacity as to engage with people who are actually on site, but may use them for music, photos, and communicating to meet up with each other at camp, etc. The idea is to be engaged with each other though.

• Athletes will be running a lot...it's cross country camp after all.

• Athletes are required to bring their bikes & helmets for transportation. (Helmets will be required when riding their bikes outside of the campground). This will be our primary daily transportation to and from town, which is two miles away.

• Athletes will inevitably have fun.

Critical ingredients for camp include…

A positive attitude, an open mind, and excitement for what you can do to better yourself and your team.

TIP: Bring what you need to be prepared for all weather conditions, but still remaining as minimal as possible.

• Please do not pack in plastic tubs. They are difficult to pack onto the bus and space is limited.

Specific Items to Bring

Tent & Sleeping

• Tent (test your tent before the trip; learn how to set it up...and repack it; be sure all its parts are accounted for; plan to share)

• Tarp (ground and tent cover for rain...it always rains) 

• Sleeping bag/or blanket/sheets/pillow

• Air mattress/ground pad/or cot (pay attention to the size of your mattress/cot vs. your tent's space)

• Folding camping/"sports" chair (like one might take to an AYSO soccer game).

• A LARGE trash bag that you can fit everything you brought in case your tent starts leaking. Note: Do not pack your stuff in this trash bag unless you need to. Meaning your stuff should not be in a trash bag when it goes on the bus because it will rip and defeat the purpose of being a "just in case" measure.

• I also bring a relatively large "ziplock" bag for my electronics to protect them in the case of rain.

• "Outdoor" extension cord and charging cord for your devices.

• NO TUBS...PACK IN SOFT/FLEXIBLE BAGS PLEASE.

CLOTHING (4 days & 6 workouts)

• Running shoes – 2 pair if you have them so you can keep a pair dry...(consider bringing a few pages of newspaper to stuff in your shoes in case they get wet).

• Running clothes for 6 workouts

• Clothing for hanging out in and for activities during the day, and cooler nights/campfire 

• Socks (2 per day) 

• Rain jacket 

• Swimsuit & towel 

• Sandals or the like

• Nights may be chilly...be prepared.

CAMP "TRANSPORTATION"

• You will need a functioning bicycle and a helmet. This is how we get to town and back and this may happen several times a day.

EXTRAS

• Running watch (recommended for the season – I like the Timex, Sleek 50-Lap version for cost, features, stopwatch and reliability. Shop around... 

• Sunglasses (if desired)

• Hat for running or otherwise to keep the sun/rain out of your eyes, and bugs off your head.

• MONEY- Although food will be provided, athletes often like to buy ice cream, candy, putt-putt, go-carts,  etc. while in town or at the campground store. You are responsible for your keeping track of your own money. 

FIRST AID

• Emergency medications that you need...but CANNOT BE SHARED.

• Your own anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. ibuprofen, Biofreeze, etc., but CANNOT be shared) (Please have your parents provide a note for use) 

• Insect/mosquito repellent

• Sunscreen

• We will have some very basic supplies - band aids, athletic tape, and other basics...think, barely above rubbing dirt on it, but we will have phones for 9-1-1.  ;)

PERSONAL ITEMS

• Toiletries/ shower items (I like to wear flip flops in the shower, but that's up to you. I think I bought mine for $10 at Target).

• Small bag or sling bag for shower/pool/trips to town.

• Bath towel and beach towel

• Contacts & solution (if needed) 

• "Stuff" you know you need to be healthy...

FAQs 

Particularly for new athletes and parents, here are some answers to some questions you might have about camp. However, please ask if you have more questions that I can answer and add to this list. This list is NOT in any order of importance. 

Tents and Such. Who will my athlete be tenting with?

• It is up to the athletes to work this out. They should start communicating with each other in mid-July, if not sooner to see who has a tent, and who will be able to tent with them. Please remember, a 4-person tent is probably good for 2-3 people and their stuff. (Look at the diagrams for how the manufacturer expects people to sleep, have a good laugh, and plan accordingly). 

• If your athlete has not found a tent mate or does not have a tent she needs to communicate this with me by August 8th or 9th so there is time to do something about it. I can’t help if I don’t know.

• I will be bugging the athletes about this several times beginning in July.

With two adults and roughly “40” kids, you are way out numbered. Please explain how my kid is going to be safe? 

• If we were taking elementary kids, I would want an adult for every four kids. If we were taking middle school kids, I would want an adult for every 8-10 kids. Because we are taking responsible high school kids, many of which could be camp counselors or “babysitters” themselves, I feel comfortable with our numbers. 

• The kids do not go anywhere alone. In fact...they don’t want to go anywhere alone, and are usually in packs of 3-5 kids, even within the campground.

• The “pack mentality” assists on a variety of levels (at the pool, on the road, inside the campground, in town, while in stores, while at the beach, etc).

What is Pentwater like? Is it safe?

• Pentwater is basically a main street of a small town and a beach, which is down a side road. So, it is pretty contained. It is a touristy town, and I have yet to see “townies” that are of any concern or consequence. 

What about the situations when they are around water...especially Lake Michigan?

• The kids are not allowed to swim deeper than their knees when an adult is not present at Lake Michigan. If they want to swim deeper, they need to get either Coach Reynolds or myself, and we are always willing to do this.

• The kids are not allowed to jump off the pier and this will be grounds for a parent having to come and get their athlete.

• If athletes rent stand-up paddle boards, one of us coaches need to be around and life jackets are required. We’ve only had them rented out once in each of the past four years.

• The pool is not deep...and no diving is allowed. It’s not a very big pool and it’s within shouting distance of our campsites.

What about riding their bikes two miles to or from town?

• The kids are expected to ride single file and stay to the right of the white “fog line/bike lane” which is about as wide as you would see on Finkbeiner between Cherry Valley and Patterson, for example. 

• The speed limit for cars is 50 mph for half of the ride, but then it drops to 35...25...as they get closer to town. 

• Helmets must be worn anytime they leave the campground.

It sounds like the kids have a lot of unsupervised time. Should I be concerned about this?

• No. Their options of where to be are limited to the campground, town, and the beach. All of this is within two miles.

• Most of the kids have cell phones and can contact me, or each other...or 9-1-1 easily if necessary.

• Throughout the day I move from town, around the campground, and the beach to keep a loose eye on things.

What about at night? 

• Just before dark, everyone is back. We usually have an activity at the main meeting area, and/or the kids are playing games, listening to music, talking, etc. ...and we’re all pretty tired by this time.

• Around 10pm it’s time to hit the tents, and pretty much everybody is ready to anyway.

• At 11pm if there are kids still talking or being loud, we tell them to hush and go to sleep...this almost never has to happen because they have been very responsible...which I’ll get back to this point later.

What about sleeping arrangements, you do have a mixed gender camp after all.

• To me, our arrangement is as safe with regards to keeping the genders separate and having privacy to change, etc, as it was when I attended church camp as a kid, or when my family camps at a State Campground, for example. The girls are in their respective tents on one side of the campground “road” and the boys are in their respective tents on the other side of the campground “road”. Coach Reynolds often stays on the boy's side, while I serve as a buffer on the girl's side, but not too near them. I am the first tent from the road between the girls and boys. 

• Walking around or “infiltrating” the opposite gender’s camping area at night, or for no good reason during the day, is grounds for being sent home. (This has not been a problem in the past)

What about people that are not part of your group that are at the campground?

• The people that we generally experience are families or older people. Sometimes there is a group of college-aged kids, but not often, and they keep to themselves.

• The people are friendly from my experience.

• There is also a gate at the front of the campground, so if you are not a registered camper, you cannot drive back into the campground.

What about mixed gender company during the day, etc?

• The kids do interact with each other during the day in the form of playing games at the picnic table, or at the volleyball court, or putt-putt, or go-carts (putt-putt and go-carts are on site by the way...same with an arcade). They go to the candy store, and do other normal type  activities. Very often the boys are doing their own thing, and the girls are doing their own thing, but they do interact frequently. 

What about showers and bathrooms?

• The campground has very nice (and separate) bathrooms and showers with modern plumbing.

• They are also very close to our campsite.

What about when the girls are running? How safe is it there?

• We often are running, at least for a little while, on the same road we ride to town on. However, there are side roads we take to run that are off this road. Traffic is generally light-to-moderate at the times we run and Coach Reynolds and I are always with them on our bikes. I personally think it’s pretty safe, but it’s also always up to us to be on high alert no matter where we run.

Do you have fires?

• Yes, we do have a fire on some nights when Coach Reynolds feels so inclined and the athletes understand to be smart around it.

What do you do in the case of severe weather since you will be in tents?

• If it gets crazy, there are brick and mortar buildings we can go into in the case of an emergency. The arcade and the camp store being two options. In a pinch we can also use the bus that gets left behind at camp that hauls our gear.

What about food?

• We have a lot of food on hand. Every year I have been there, we have had a surplus of food. We have a variety of cereals, trail mix, sandwich opportunities (pb & J as well as meat), fruit, and there are often granola bars, breakfast bars, etc. 

• We also eat in town for pizza night.

• Additionally, kids buy food...often candy and ice cream in town.

What if the cost is an issue because we already spent $3,999,999.00 on all the other camps this summer and our camp budget is tapped out?

• We want everyone to go who is available and do not want cost to be a barrier. Just let me know that your athlete could use a scholarship, and we will work it out.

What is the cost again?

• It is $100 and each athlete is responsible for bringing a 24-count case of water. Additional siblings on our team are $50 so we don't cost out a family.

Will there be a consequence to my athlete’s standing on the team if she does not attend?

• Absolutely not! If your athlete cannot attend for any reason, I will expect her to train at home, but this is not a mandatory camp. It is strongly encouraged because I think it’s invaluable bonding time, and everyone enjoys themselves, but it will not impact anyone’s standing on the team or how I feel about that person.

What if I want a different perspective than yours about camp?

I would recommend you talk to parents and/or athletes of those who have previously attended/have experience sending their kids, if you want a different perspective. If you need parent contacts I will set you up with their permission.

It has been my experience that the kids are well behaved, responsible, and respectful. We have not had to go track anyone down or look for anyone, or send anyone home for poor behavior. This is not surprising to me, because typically cross country attracts quality kids with good work ethic and a good head on their shoulders. These kids look out for each other.

Additionally, safety is a priority for Coach Reynolds and I, and I am protective of “my girls” in any circumstance.

Middleville-TK CC Camp Permission Slip (August 13th-16th, 2024)

I give my permission for my daughter/son __________________________  to attend the TK cross country camp in Pentwater, MI, at Hill & Hollow Campground. I understand that this is a school sponsored activity and all school rules apply while at camp. Coaches Sam Wilkinson or Josh Reynolds have my permission to seek emergency medical treatment should such a situation arise while my child is at CC camp. 

Emergency Contact Name(s) _______________________________________________________________

Cell #(s) _______________________________________________________________________________

List any allergies or medical concerns you want us to be aware of _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Please use the space provided to list any other concerns/cautions we should be aware of regarding your child to keep her/him safe and well or note "N/A".

___________________________________________________________________

* * Student cell phones should be used on a limited basis for photos, music, and communicating logistics at camp.  Camp is designed as a team building experience and unplugging from home and social media is highly encouraged. 

* *Although we expect everything to remain wonderful, in the event of an extreme unfortunate circumstance at home or in our community, please do not call your child at camp to relay this information immediately. Instead, please contact Coach Wilkinson or Coach Reynolds first so we have a heads up. In extreme cases, plan to drive to Pentwater to pick up your child to take her/him home. This is a situation that is unfair to your child, the other athletes, and to the coaches when we may be unable to adequately respond to such a circumstance.

* * * Although we expect our athletes will represent themselves well, should your student-athlete not conduct her/himself in a manner appropriate with school and athletic rules, parents will be called and will be expected to drive to Pentwater to pick up the athlete. 

**** I have read ALL of the information about camp on "TKHS Camp" page of the team's website.

I understand and agree to all of the above as it is written.

Parent signature _______________________________ Date______________

Athlete signature ______________________________ Date______________

IF you want your athlete to use a stand-up paddle board, please review and sign the next portion.

August 13th-16th 2024 Thornapple Kellogg Schools, Pentwater Cross Country Camp Recreational Watercraft Waiver

I give my son/daughter (                                                   ) permission to use any recreational watercraft on Lake Michigan. I understand there will neither be any certified, nor uncertified lifeguards on duty to supervise and/or rescue my child. I understand by using any recreational watercraft, it is at my child’s own risk. I understand the water depth may be over my child’s head, the water could be rough, and that there are risks associated with using recreational watercrafts on Lake Michigan.

I understand that the cost of using a recreational watercraft is the responsibility of my child and I will be responsible for paying the cost of any damage that may occur to the watercraft(s) being rented.

I do not and will not hold Thornapple Kellogg Schools, the cross country program, Coach Sam Wilkinson or Coach Josh Reynolds liable in the event of any kind of mishap, injury, or death.

I have read and understand the above and give full consent to my child using recreational watercraft signed out under either my child's, Coach Sam Wilkinson’s, Coach Reynold’s or anyone else's name.

Athlete’s Signature: _______________________________________  Date:_________

Parent’s Signature:________________________________________ Date: _________