2024 Hope Training Camp July 11-14 (CAMP signup full for 2024, ask Snyder about waitroom list if you still want to go)

Hope Camp Workout Plan/Schedule (subject to change depending on weather or other events)

Meet at Noon at Snyder's 2421 Maple Ave; Kids at APU camp meet later in Hope

Thursday Afternoon: Run Hope Coastal Trail ~45-60 minutes or hike Cowan Mountain

Friday 8:30 am: Run Hope Wagon Trail (5 km) before breakfast

Friday 11-12: Staggered start hiking Hope Point, bring lunch with you

Saturday 9:30-11:30 Choice workout, Skate Rollerski, bike, or run/hike

Saturday 3-4:30: Hike Palmer Creek Valley

Sunday  8:30 am: Run Hope Wagon Trail before Breakfast (There is a race on this on July 21)

Sunday 9-10:30: eat breakfast, make lunch to go, Clean camp and pack up

11:00 try to leave by now, run Portage trail of Blue Ice and possibly swim at Moose Flats on way home. 

 Sign up link and waiver at bottom of this page (so read to get there). Get me waiver before school is out. Payment details and gear list below.  

If you have questions text or email me. snyder_gary@asdk12.org, (907)952-5199.

July 9 evening: pre-camp workout. Location TBD but likely up a big hill or mountain. 

July 11 noon: : Meet at Gary Snyder's house 2421 Maple avenue at 12:00 to do a gear check and then leave. Eat a meal before arriving!

July 14: returning mid to late afternoon. We will send a text with our ETA late morning. 

Hope Preseason Training Camp 2024Details

What: A few days to spend together training to get kids to stay fit all summer, and to have fun with teammates. This should not be a time to get in shape, but to get MORE in shape. If you haven't been training on your own attending camp is a good way to get hurt. If I don't know your fitness level  then expect me to ask some of your running times before agreeing to have you attend. 

Costs/Payment: (3 nights) Splitting lodging, food, and gas.  I am charging $150, for food and lodging. We will bring 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches.  If kids want to buy more food or drinks in Hope they should bring some cash. If $ is a problem for attending camp,  talk to Snyder, as some waivers are available. To pay you can make a check to me (Gary Snyder), bring me cash, or venmo my wife "heather-ireland-8".  Her phone number ends in 6464. She keeps track of the money. 

Where: I have reserved the Hope Retreat Center in downtown Hope, which can sleep ~15. There are separate sleeping areas for genders.  It is an old church, and it is rustic, but there is running water (Kitchen/1 bathroom). I own the adjacent property and cabin/outhouse, so we have  space for a few more kids there in a bunkhouse or in tents.  This is 90 minutes south of Anchorage. Families/parents are welcome to reserve other camping or lodging in Hope if they want to be in Hope or if they don't want their kids to eat/sleep/hangout in the retreat center. Hope fills up, so book soon. Our cooking and bathing facility cannot also accommodate families...we max them out. 

When: We have the retreat center Thursday afternoon July 11-Sunday July 14 at noon. We have 3 nights, so bring lots of socks and blister tape.  We will leave Anchorage Thursday just after noon and return Sunday late afternoon. We have some flexibility depending on the group and drivers. We will meet at my house (2421 Maple) at 12:00 Thursday July 11 and I can do a gear check with kids and we can arrange car pooling. 

How: Carpooling (I can take five).  Please let me know if you can help drive. Figuring out the optimal situation for driving down and back is difficult so please communicate your plans clearly.  Kids will need to help with food prep and clean up while in Hope. This is not a luxury resort. It is training.  

Why: The goals are having fun, training in different environments, fitness, camaraderie, appreciating Alaska and its trails as runners/bikers/hikers/roller-skiers. 

Training/camp Schedule:  (TBA!)  1-2 workouts each day, with some down time to hangout. Plan to play games, do art, or read books rather than stare at a device during your free time. 

Food:   We will buy groceries for 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunch's and 3 snacks. If kids want to buy more food/coffee in Hope that is up to them, but we will have enough.  Runners are expected to help prepare food and clean up. Menu specifics TBD depending on group. If you have major dietary restrictions let us know early or plan to pack your own food. I am thinking to keep it simple, and do the same as last year.  We drink mostly water and are not doing gourmet, given the facilities. 

What to bring (gear):

Lots of socks, 1-2 pair running shoes, underwear (sports bra), personal toiletries/medicines, sleeping bag, foam pad (there are some cots too), pillow, towel/soap/shampoo, small backpack or bottle holder that you can run with (must have or borrow), water bottle, training clothes including wind breaker or light jacket to run in, warm layer, rain coat, non-running shoes, non-training clothes, a book/electronics, some cash (if you want). Possibly a swimsuit (if it is hot we might find water...we did swim in 2021, 2022 and 2023), personal snacks (not needed), bear spray if you are comfortable with runner having it/already own some. Bug repellent and sunscreen might be useful to some. I have a few spare water holders for running if you need one. Put your name on everything! Depending on weather and training schedule and space in cars a bicycle and/or roller-skis can be used for one workout. We plan to do some biking or rollerskiing, and kids without a bike can go for a hike. We can discuss this closer to leaving.  Hope has good cell coverage (not the drive there though), but a phone is not necessary. Don't buy a bunch of equipment just for camp though, because coaches have some loaner items. However, do ask for these before we go so we take them to Hope. 

Covid-19: 

In 2024 If you have any cold symptoms please do not attend. I will give a full refund. If  you have a recent exposure to Covid (within 5 days) please take Covid test before attending, even if symptom free. No sniffles or coughs at camp please.

Parents: 

If parents can/want to help below are some ways. Parents are welcome to stay in Hope also,  but they need to reserve their own lodging. Kids will have priority at the retreat center and on my property.  Parents can help by getting their kids and gear ready, helping us grocery shop in town,  hauling gear to and from Hope, carpooling to/from Hope, helping with food prep and kid management in Hope (we are covered in 2024), or being “slow” sweeps on some or part of our runs/hikes. Let me know if you are interested  in helping and I will let you know if you are needed for that. Keep in mind lodging is for the kids and we have one toilet for all of us (and a few outhouses) 

Questions? Email Snyder_gary@asdk12.org or call/text (907)952-5199. The liability release form is posted at the bottom of this page. 

Sign up procedure: I can't guarantee everyone a slot since this is getting popular (sorry). I will see how many people sign up, then get back to you with a confirmation shortly. Wait until that confirmation before you fill out the liability waiver and pay. My priorities are basically first seniors, then juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, while balancing ability with keeping at least 1-2 slots for each grade/gender. Yes, that is a bit confusing, I know.  

Sign up form for HOPE CAMP Hope Camp 2024 is currently full. If you are still interested in going talk to Snyder in case a few spots open up. (must be signed into google account, which kids have when signed in to ASD) .

Here is the liability waiver: Bring me a hard copy before we leave town or email me a signed pdf by the 11th.