Gravel 2023
Our 2023 gravel camp is sold out. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when registration opens for the 2024 camp!
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Aready registered and preparing for camp? Check out our travel and event prep page.
Take your training to amazing place!
2023 BaseCamp Gravel Camp
October 12-15, 2023
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.
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This is a community BaseCamp event open to all BaseCamp athletes (former, current, and future), designed to be inexpensive and all inclusive! This camp will focus on skills development, event and race performance, and fun, social-paced rides.
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.
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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.
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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.
The Details
Packages and Lodging
BUNKHOUSE BED: $199
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. Please note there is now an additional charge of $125 per person to cover unexpected meals expenses.
PRIVATE GROUP BUNKHOUSE: $899
Coming with a group of 4-6 people? Reserve a private bunkhouse. The price includes three nights of lodging and all meals on site (three breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners) for up to six people (the total is for the entire group, not per person). The bunkhouses do not have bathrooms, but they are located close to the camp's communal bathrooms and showers. The private group bunkhouses are limited; first come, first served!
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Please note there is now an additional charge of $125 per person to cover unexpected meals expenses.
TRAINING ONLY (without lodging): $99
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. Please note there is now an additional charge of $125 per person to cover unexpected meals expenses.
Where to stay?
TRAVEL
CLOSEST AIRPORT
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is the airport closest to the campground, about a 45-minute drive away
THE COACHES
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Tim Cusick
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Karen Mackin
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Namrita Brooke
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Nathan Goates
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Scott Moninger
What's Included
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Travel planning support
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3 nights of bunkhouse lodging (not private unless group bunkhouse reserved)
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All meals on site
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All coaching and support
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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$199 per person, plus $125 meal surcharge
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$899 per group of 4-6 with private cabin upgrade, plus $125 meal surcharge per person
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$99 per person for training only (no lodging) plus $125 meal surcharge
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$25 non-refundable deposit per person ($100 per group) due upon registration, with remaining payment due August 18
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Because of changes to the campground's services, we have had to hire an outside caterer, necessitating the addition of a $125 meals surcharge to all registrations.
Cancelation Policy
All deposits are non-refundable.
Camp Itinerary
Thursday, Oct 12
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Camp checkin and cabin assignment in the dining hall
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5:00-5:30 p.m.
Coaches' welcome in the pavillion
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6:30-8:00 p.m.
Campfire and social fun
Friday, Oct 13
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
served in the dining hall
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8:30 a.m. Riders Meeting
Gravel skills in the amphitheater
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9:00-11:00 a.m. Skills and Drills
We'll gather in the fields to learn about positioning, cornering, descending, and climbing
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11:00 a.m. Lunch
served in the dining hall
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12:30-5:00 p.m. Group Rides
We'll meet in the amphitheater and divide into groups; 3-5 route options will be available.
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6:00 p.m. Dinner
served in the dining hall
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7:00 p.m. Bonfire
Join us at the large bonfire ring
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Saturday, Oct 14
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
served in the dining hall
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9:00 a.m. Rider meeting
in the amphitheater
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9:30-11:30 a.m. Skills and Drills
We'll gather in the fields​ for important skills development.
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11:30 a.m. Lunch
served in the dining hall
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12:30-5:00 p.m. Group Rides
We'll meet in the amphitheater and divide into groups; 3-5 route options will be available.
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6:00 p.m. Dinner
served in the dining hall
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7:00 p.m. Bonfire
Join us at the large bonfire ring
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Sunday, Oct 15
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
served in the dining hall
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9:00 a.m. Rider Meeting
in the amphitheater
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9:30-11:30 a.m. Group Ride
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12:00 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.
What options are there for on-site lodging?
We offer two options: You can sign up for general bunkhouse lodging and be placed with other BaseCampers, or if you have a group of friends you want to bunk with, you can rent the entire bunkhouse for your group (limited supply).
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 camp only" option.
Is there a hotel nearby?
The best hotel is in downtown Carlisle at the Comfort Suites. We have a special rate of $129 per night reserved with them that is valid through September 21; you can book online here with that rate or ask for the BaseCamp group when you book by phone. The hotel is 13.1 miles away from Camp Thompson and will take 20-25 minutes to drive. There are some closer hotels by the turnpike (about 2-3 miles closer), but with little to no amenities.
Can we bring our pets?
Pets are not allowed at Camp Thompson. If they were, you would get to spend the weekend with Kathy and Tim's big floppy yellow lab.
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.