Bethel University Cross Country Summer Youth Camp

July 21-25, 2019
This individual skills camp is designed for runners entering grades 9-12 for the 2019-2020 school year who want to develop their running skills through small and large group activities. Camp sessions will be taught by Missy Rock, 3-Time Division III National Cross Country Champion, and Head Bethel Cross Country Coach, Joe Stephens. In addition, several of Bethel's past and present All-American cross country runners will serve as camp counselors.

The counselor/athlete ratio will be kept as low as possible (approximately 1:10) to ensure the personal attention needed for a great camp experience. All students entering grades 9-12 for the 2018-19 school year are accepted. Younger or older students may be accepted upon approval.

Registration and Costs

$350 for overnight campers: $100 non-refundable deposit is required with registration
$250 for commuters: $100 non-refundable deposit is required with registration

Cost includes expert coaching, insurance, t-shirt, and lunch each day. Campers should bring a water bottle, a good pair of running shoes, running and normal wear attire suitable for the weather. All campers must complete the parent waiver and medical form in the registration. Make sure they're completed upon arrival.

About the Facility

Bethel University is located in Arden Hills, a northern suburb of St. Paul, MN. The campus borders Lake Valentine and has miles of on-campus running trails, as well as many miles of trails nearby. Facilities also include a 50,000 square foot field house in case of inclement weather; training rooms, new wellness center, and weight room, and air-conditioned classrooms, plus a beautiful new dining center where amazing nutritious food is served.

Camp Staff

Joe Stephens, Camp Director
Joe Stephens comes to Bethel after seven years at Colorado State and the University of Wyoming. During that stint, he coached four Top-35 Division I cross country teams. He’s now completed his forth year as Bethel’s Head Cross Country Coach. During his time at BU, Stephens has coached five athletes to the NCAA Division III National Championships and three to All-American honors. Bethel’s men finished second in 2018 and third in 2015 at the prestigious Minnesota Roy Griak Invite. Both the men’s and women’s team improved their Championship finishes under Stephens’ lead. With the men placing 5th in 2017 and 4th in 2018 at the MIAC meet. The women have notched two 8th place finishes at the NCAA Region meet in the last two seasons. These performances are largely due to the BU XC intentional culture of athletic and personal excellence, and a doubling of roster sizes over the past four years.

Missy Rock
Missy Rock, an assistant coach for the Bethel cross country program, is a legend among distance runners. Rock, formerly known as Missy Buttry, is the most decorated cross country athlete in NCAA Division III women's history after winning three consecutive cross country championships and 11 individual track and field national titles. A member of the USA world cross country team in 2004 and 2005, Rock won the bronze medal at the 2005 World Cross Country Championships and finished eighth in the 2004 Olympic trials in the 5,000-meter race.

Refund and Cancellation

• 90 days before camp: Full refund minus $10 processing fee
• 14-90 days before camp: Deposit held, unless someone on the waiting list can fill your spot resulting in a $10 processing fee
• 1-14 days before camp: Deposit held
• After camp begins: No refunds, with a possible exception due to injury