Gaar Mountain Running Camp 2024

42nd Annual Gaar Mountain Running Camp 

(formerly Camp Varsity Running Camp)

Sunday, August 4 – Saturday, August 10, 2024

Hosted at Camp Varsity, 1344 Beamers Head Rd., Madison, VA 22727

Gaar Mountain Running Camp is a week-long, overnight running camp for high school cross country runners.  Established in 1983, our camp is Virginia's oldest and premier high school running camp!  We are looking forward to seeing you for another great year on the mountain!

Accommodations: All campers are housed with their teammates in one of nine spacious open air cabins.  A separate dining lodge and pavilion are used for meals, speakers, team meetings and other activities.  Cabins are not air conditioned.

Meals: Three delicious meals are served per day.  Camp has difficulty accommodating special meal requests, restrictions, allergies, etc. Please contact the director with concerns.  NO ADJUSTMENT IN CAMP FEE WILL BE MADE.

Runs: Runs at camp are 100% coach prescribed and fully facilitated by our staff.  Coaches manage all mileage and workouts for the week.  Morning runs tend to be longer, taking advantage of cooler weather and afternoon runs are shorter. We offer alternative workout options for those with no afternoon mileage.  Most team coaches are on staff and plan accordingly for their athletes.  Terrain ranges from grass to gravel to hard roads and can be hilly.  It is a beautiful setting.

Staff: 95% of our camp staff are former Gaar Mountain Running Camp campers and alumni of high schools in attendance!  Our staff have high school and collegiate level running experience, and some have continued to train and compete post-collegiately.  Our staff stay in cabins with campers and facilitate all runs and activities for the week.  We pride ourselves on our staff’s ability to connect on an individual level with our campers and ensure the same quality experience that kept them coming back as campers and now as staff!

Costs: $710 + RunSignUp processing fee (~$30).  Cost covers all camp fees, insurance, camp t-shirt, bag, goodies, etc. Campers incur service fee when paying online via RunSignUp.

Refunds: Refunds will not be permitted unless an extenuating circumstance exists.  All refund requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  No refunds will be given after August 1, 2024.  

Health Form: Once you are registered, the camp director will contact you with reminders to complete the health form.  The health form should be mailed or scanned and emailed ASAP.  The health form must be printed and signed by a parent or legal guardian if the camper is under 18 years of age. If 18 or older, the form must be signed by the camper. Access to camp will be denied if the health form is not received by July 14.

Other pertinent information (packing list, schedule of activities, etc.) will be emailed once registration is complete and the start of camp approaches.  Information may also be disseminated through team coaches as needed.

Follow us on Instagram, @gaarmountainrunning