Camp Update – Important Notice
Due to the ongoing effects of forest fires in the Michaux State Forest, we've made the difficult decision to cancel our 2025 gravel camp. The safety of our riders and the integrity of the experience remain our top priorities. But don't worry, this camp will be back, stronger and better than ever, in 2026. Stay tuned for updates!
Meet your fellow BaseCampers and coaches while enjoying a fun weekend of gravel riding and camping in the beautiful Michaux State Forest tucked away in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The YMCA Camp Thompson will be our home for the weekend, complete with rustic cabins, a mess hall, and fire rings for gathering beside. Laugh, learn, and ride with friends and teammates, and enjoy the gorgeous Pennsylvania woods in their fall splendor.
This is a community BaseCamp event open to all BaseCamp athletes (former, current, and future)! This camp will focus on skills development, event and race performance, and fun, social-paced rides.
This camp sold out on February 9, 2024. Click here to join the wait list.
The Experience
The Riding
Michaux State Forest is a hidden gem of gravel cycling. Heading out of Camp Thompson, we have hundreds of miles of gravel and double track roads to explore. Camp Thompson is located in the valley, which allows us to explore both ridgelines of this amazing forest.
The focus of this camp will be building skills and learning, so rides will be at a more social pace and a little shorter.
The Location
MICHAUX STATE FOREST
Michaux's almost 90,000 acres are located in Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin Counties, and it contains three state parks (Caledonia, Pine Grove Furnace, and Mont Alto). Michaux provides ample opportunities for gravel riding with 130 miles of state forest roads (plus more gravel outside of the park) maintained for pleasure driving and sightseeing.
CAMP THOMPSON, GARDNERS PA
This is an ACA accredited camp featuring ten heated bunkhouse cabins, each with six ground-level beds.
The Coaching Support
Take your training and performance knowledge to the next level! Daily rides will feature skills and on-the-bike coaching to help you up your game, and we will focus on building skills so that speed will follow.
Closest Airport
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is the airport closest to the campground, about a 45-minute drive away
The Details
Packages and Lodging
ON SITE LODGING
$699 for BaseCamp members
$999 for non-members
Reserve a single bed in one of the group bunkhouses. The price includes three nights of lodging and all meals on site (three breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners). The bunkhouses do not have bathrooms, but they are located close to the camp's communal bathrooms and showers.
TRAINING ONLY (without lodging)
$549 for BaseCamp members
$849 for non-members
Want to come to camp but bring an RV or tent camp at the local campgrounds less than a mile away? Select this option to join all the rides and activities. The price includes the rides, activities, and meals.
Where to stay?
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Pine Grove Furnace State Park (1.8 miles away)
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlisle Southwest (15 miles away)
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Fairfield Inn & Suites Carlisle (15 miles away)
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MainStay Suites Carlisle - Harrisburg (15 miles away)
What's Included
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Travel planning support
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2 nights of group bunkhouse lodging
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All meals on site
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All coaching and support
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Camp t-shirt if you register by August 22
What's Not Included
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Airfare or other travel expenses
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Transportation
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Towels or bed linens
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Coach tips
Pricing
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$699 per person for BaseCamp group coaching members ($999 for non members)
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$549 per person for training only, without lodging ($849 for non members)
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$200 deposit per person due upon registration, with remaining payment due 30 days before camp
Please note that there is an additional 2.5% fee if paying final camp balances with a credit card; to avoid the additional fee, you can simply pay the final balance with ACH transfer or by mailing a check.
Cancelation Policy
All camp deposits are fully or partially refundable as follows:
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Before April 6, 2025: Your deposit is fully refundable, minus a $50 processing fee.
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Before July 5, 2025: Your deposit is 50% refundable.
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After July 5, 2025: Your deposit is not refundable.
Camp Itinerary
Thursday, Oct 2
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Camp checkin and cabin assignment
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Welcome BBQ dinner
7:00 p.m.
Campfire and social fun
Friday, Oct 3
7:30-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Riders Meeting
9:30-11:30 a.m. Skills and Drills Practice
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:30-5:00 p.m. Group Rides
3-4 route options available
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Social Activities
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Saturday, Oct 4
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Rider meeting
9:30-11:00 a.m. Skills and Drills Practice
11:00 a.m. Lunch
12:00 p.m. Riders Meeting
12:30-5:00 p.m. Group Rides
2-3 route options available
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Social Activities
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Sunday, Oct 5
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Riders Meeting
9:00-11:30 a.m. Group Rides
11:30 a.m. Snacks and Cleanup
1:00 p.m. Departure
Camp FAQs
What is a bunkhouse?
Camp Thompson features ten bunkhouse cabins, each with six bunkbeds (we are using floor-level beds only), heating, and electricity. There are no private bathrooms. Linens are not included in lodging.
Are there bathrooms and showers?
The bunkhouses are conveniently located around two communal, heated bathhouses featuring full showers and facilities.
Can I bring my RV or tent?
RVs and tents are not allowed at Camp Thompson, but you can grab a site at Pine Grove Furnace Campgrounds, which is connected to Camp Thompson via bike and walking paths. If you're going with this option, sign up above for the "training only" option.
Is there a hotel nearby?
The best hotel is in downtown Carlisle at the Comfort Suites, 13 miles away from Camp Thompson, but they are likely sold out. Other hotels nearby (15 miles from camp) are MainStay Suites Carlisle - Harrisburg, Fairfield Inn and Suites Carlisle, and Holiday Inn Express Carlisle Southwest.
Can we bring our pets?
Sorry, pets are not allowed at Camp Thompson.
What is the food like?
Our catered meals will be prepared in the dining hall. The food will not be fancy, but it is our goal to provide healthy options for all.