2009 Athlete Development Camps

Camp Information
The purpose behind the USACycling Regional Development Camps is multi-faceted. First and foremost it provides a development opportunity for our younger riders. Over the course of the six day camp, participants will practice skills that are specific to the camp discipline, enjoy informational discussions about nutrition, bike mechanics, and training, and take part in standardized field testing that is consistent with all of the endurance-based camps (Road and MTB Cross Country). The top-2 athletes in each camp will be nominated by the USA Cycling Athlete Development Camp Coaching Staff to attend the USA Cycling National Talent Identification Camp at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, October 15-19, 2009.  Although this does not guarantee an invitation to the National Talent Identification Camp, it does ensure that a rider is on the right path to advancing through the USA Cycling Pipeline.  More information about the USA Cycling pathway can be found here, https://www.usacycling.org/juniors/roadpipeline.php.  Further, many of the camps will be selecting riders to participate as regional teams in national or international races like The Tour of the Red River Gorge, Le Tour de l’Abitibi, U.S. Cup, and the Yankee Clipper at Windham Mountain.  The registration fee for the camps is $750.  See below for information about the discount for team registration. 

New for 2009
*Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR (near Portland) will be hosting the North-West Road Athlete Development Camp June 14-19.
*Catamount Camp in Williston, VT (near Burlington) will be hosting the New England Mountain Bike Athlete Development Camp June 14-19.

How to Qualify:

Road and Cross Country Mountain Bike:
To ensure the safety of all camp participants and to maximize the learning opportunities for all, there is a minimum standard of on-the-bike competency that all camp participants must satisfy. Camps are available to athletes that are at least 14 years old on the day the camp starts and no older than racing age 22.  Athletes that are automatically eligible to participate in the camps meet one or more of the following standards:

1. Participated in the 2008 Regional Camp program.
2. Carry a valid 2009 collegiate racing license (men, D, C, or B and women, C or B) and are under the age of 23 in 2008.
3. Finish in the top-5 in a LAJRS race (15/16 or 17/18 category) since June 1, 2008. Athletes that are 14 y/o must qualify through the 15/16 category. Results in the 13/14 category will not be counted.
4. Finish in the top-5 in an ADJMTB race (Category 1 and 2, 15/16 or 17/18 category) since June 1, 2008. Athletes that are 14 y/o must qualify through the 15/16 category. Results in the 13/14 category will not be counted.
5. Finish in the top-10 in the Road Race, Time Trial, or Criterium event at the 2008 Junior National Road Cycling Championships. 13/14, 15/16, and 17/18 results will be considered
6. Finish in the top-10 in the Cross Country at the 2008 Junior Mountain Bike National Championships in the 13/14, 15/16 or 17/18 age groups in the Expert and Sport categories.
7. Carry a current USA Cycling racing license as a Category 3, 2, or 1 on the road or Category 2 or 1 in cross country mountain bike.  Represented the United States in International Competition in 2008. 

Women-Specific Camp:
This camp is intended to be a skills-intensive camp in an environment created with the unique needs of the female athlete in mind.  Of all the camps, the "women specific" camp has the most flexibility with regards to qualification procedures.  As such, the women’s camp will have the widest range of ability levels represented.  At a minimum, all camp participants should have some bike racing experience.  Generally, the women’s camp is intended for the entry level senior athlete (over 18) and mature junior woman (17-18).  If you are not eligible automatically to qualify for the athlete development camps, please submit the "request for eligibility" which is available here, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qCnQBMZs3CZIzXhtLgtT8w_3d_3d.

MidWest Track Camp:
This offering represents an opportunity for established road athletes to gain track experience.  The long-term vision for the USA Cycling Road Development Programs includes a track component for all potential athletes.  All athletes qualified for the road development camps are eligible to attend the MidWest Track Camp.  If you are not automatically eligible for the athlete development camps programs, please submit the "request for eligibility" which is available here, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qCnQBMZs3CZIzXhtLgtT8w_3d_3d.

The benefits to attending the track camp are varied:

1. Enhanced skill development for the road athlete.
2. Opportunities for development and international competition for the road athlete in a new discipline.
3. Introduction to a completely new skill set and training mode.
4. Each track camp participant will leave with a heightened level of comfort in using the track as a training tool.  Participants will be introduced to and have an opportunity to practice each international event.
5. An opportunity to undergo the indoor field testing in line with the talent identification standards employed at the road development camps.

How To Register

1. Be sure your MyUSACycling account is updated with your most recent contact information including email address.
2. Check your MyUSACycling homepage for the "view available camps" link in the bottom left corner. If you click on the link, you will be directed to the camp registration page. Please be sure to closely follow the registration instructions.
3. The registration deadline for each camp is TWO WEEKS before the first day of each camp. Please refer to the counter on the camp schedule page to see how many spots remain for each camp.
4. Teammates (three or more) that register together will enjoy a discount of $75 per rider (making the registration fee $675 per rider. All riders must be eligible for the camps and must be paid together, on one check. To register as a team, DO NOT register individually. ALL CLUB/TEAM REGISTRATIONS TAKE PLACE BY CLICKING THIS LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tPEnWhbCaP_2fBvcv_2fi3MQwQ_3d_3d
5. Please make the check out to "USA Cycling", print the completed form and mail the payment and form to USA Cycling c/o Benjamin Sharp, 210 USA Cycling Point, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO, 80919.  USA Cycling cannot not be responsible for camps that fill while payment is in the mail.
6. Riders that do not meet the above criteria ("How to Qualify") and/or do not have a link to sign up for the camps in the top-right corner of their "MyUSACycling" homepage may submit a "request for eligibility" to be invited. The request is in the form of a survey and may be found at:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qCnQBMZs3CZIzXhtLgtT8w_3d_3d.

On May 15, 2009, each camp registrant will be able to download a packet of information through the MYUSACYCLING homepage with details about the camp. This information will include directions for the specific camp, a camp packing list as well as all the waivers and forms necessary for camp participation. These forms are to be printed out and competed BEFORE arrival to the camp. Many of the forms require a parent/guardian signature if the camp registrant is a minor.