Member of the Month

Biffbarf
February, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Too old for camp?

profile picture
starlightlou
Posts: 1668 - Karma: 96
Hey, I'm 28 and interested in doing one of the freestyle summer camps... Can anyone offer me some advice/recommendations? Or am i just too old? :(
Jun 15 2008 6:21PM
0 0
profile picture
eastAR5
Posts: 15084 - Karma: 732
most acmps offer adult programs that u could do... but if i were your age I would choose to save money, fly out , rent a car, get a hotel room and just shred
Jun 15 2008 6:22PM
0 0
profile picture
shortdawg
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 19
Momentum has adult camps

http://momentumskicamps.com/web08/adult_camp/index.html
Jun 15 2008 6:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Karcher
Posts: 3788 - Karma: 1,934
so does windells

https://wsdweb3.wsdsecure.com/secure/windells/register/

click summer 2008, snowboard/ski, overnight camp
Jun 15 2008 7:12PM
0 0
profile picture
BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 78
If you choose momentum do a kids camp, not an adult one. The adult ones are mogul oriented.
Jun 15 2008 7:29PM
0 0
profile picture
StuntCok
Posts: 125 - Karma: 22
I just sent you a message but I thought I would repeat myself in case there are others who think they are too old for camp.

Firstly, while Momentum has adult only camps it is already underway and too late to sign up for.  I wouldn't worry about that too much because from my experience, adults sign up for all sessions.  I am signed up for session 5 at momentum and I already know of at least 3 others over the age of 18 who have signed up.  Anyway, at the coaches and diggers are all (mostly) adults and it is fun to hang out with them (and often have way to much to drink).  Even the kids are fun to hang out with- I was taught how to skateboard and play guitar hero by HN campers and activities like paintball are made all the better by hoards of kids to shoot.

Anyway, glacier camp has always been one of the highlights of my season.  Not only because it is skiing in summer but because of the vibe at camp.  I am mostly a backcountry skier and it is great to get in the park and try something new in a really youthful environment.  Whistler is also a great party town making a serious hangover the biggest risk to skiing the next day.  Ingrid Backstrom once almost killed me in a shot for shot drinkoff at high north.  I, at least, made it to the glacier the next day.  She did not.
Jun 15 2008 7:30PM
0 0
profile picture
artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
there was a 40 year old dude at a kids momentum session, complete noob but it was awesome to see him out there
Jun 15 2008 7:32PM
0 0
profile picture
StuntCok
Posts: 125 - Karma: 22
Did he say he was 40 or was that your estimate?  The hardest part about going to a kids camp is finding out what age the kids estimate your age to be.  Once you hit your late 20's or early 30's you are put into their parent's peer group and assumed  to be 40.  It is a crushing blow to one's self esteem  to find out how old you look to teenagers.
Jun 15 2008 7:37PM
0 0
profile picture
bpalmer
Posts: 2408 - Karma: 93
southshore soldiers for spring break. sick adult camp and some fun parties. www.southshoresoldiers.com
Jun 15 2008 7:38PM
0 0
profile picture
papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 920
l would go if I didn't take all my time off in the winter.  But hey, I'm weird like that!
Jun 15 2008 7:44PM
0 0
profile picture
skiEER
Posts: 4089 - Karma: 79
yeah i think it would we still be really fun even though i am 22 but there is no way i could afford it
Jun 15 2008 7:46PM
0 0
profile picture
starlightlou
Posts: 1668 - Karma: 96
Thanks everyone... all the info really helped. I guess I'm ready for the ego blow, although i'm pretty sure i don't look 40 or like a mom... haha.
Jun 15 2008 7:57PM
0 0
profile picture
papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 920
You will have a great time. Probably a much better time in Whistler, its an older party crowd to begin with.
Jun 15 2008 8:03PM
0 0
profile picture
JEWbacca
Posts: 1391 - Karma: 30
man as long as u can shred who cares hold old u are man. skiing is ment for all ages.
Jun 15 2008 8:07PM
0 0
profile picture
Franny
Posts: 3980 - Karma: 77
As long as you don't look like a gaper than your fine.

We will all probably turn into a gaper when were like 80 years old or just shred pow.
Jun 16 2008 12:30AM
0 0
profile picture
SHastatahoe
Posts: 3414 - Karma: 20
I used to go to race camps when I was in highschool, now I'm 22 and Ive thought about maybe going to a camp for the freestyle type skiing.  Then I remembered I am in college and can barely afford to ski in the winter.  They should have college discounts.
Jun 16 2008 12:40AM
0 0
profile picture
artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
haha yeah i believe he did tell us that he was 40
Jun 16 2008 12:44AM
0 0
profile picture
Klick_2_klaim
Posts: 3396 - Karma: 25
Camps are rad.... but if you want to go shred in the summer nd get better in the park and with tricks and junk, go to the southern hemisphere from mid august to october. CHili, Arrrrrgentina, NZ, Traveling is way better than just going to camp for a week. Plus you can do 2 months doing that for the price of a week of camp.
Jun 16 2008 1:04AM
0 0
profile picture
Malcolm
Posts: 15953 - Karma: 9,500
true. i want to shred when im like 90 years old itd be so sick
Jun 16 2008 1:06AM
0 0
profile picture
XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
yeah your definatly not too old, ive seen tons of people around 30 at camps. though i dont know if i would sign up for an adult camp, the adult camps ive seen at HN and momentum and stuff seem like they are for ACTUAL adults, like alot of them ive seen look like they could be my dad, there is no way i could see like a 25-30 year old at one of the HN or momentum adult sessions, you just wouldnt fit in. and most the time they are just there to learn how to slide a rail for their first time or something.
so yeah as long as your not actually old you will be fine going to a normal camp, 28 is a little older than most the campers, but there are tons of campers in their late teens and early to mid 20's so you will fit in fine.
Jun 16 2008 1:10AM
0 0
profile picture
StuntCok
Posts: 125 - Karma: 22
This really depends on what you are looking for.  I have skied greenland, South America and New Zealand in the summer and I still like coming back for camp.  Camp has a great vibe and allows you to learn something you wouldn't normally do in a very relaxed atmosphere.  The parks on the glacier are better than anything in the southern hemisphere save snowpark NZ and whistler is a great town to hang out in.     There is also the instructional side.  Being in my 30's I don't have a crew in the winter that wants to ride park so I don't get the instruction and progression that I get when I go to camp.  If you fly to NZ to ride their parks, it would cost a fortune to set up the kind of instruction you get at whistler.  I don't think flying to NZ is cheaper either.  You have to account for an international flight etc. and I am assuming that you  have a job and aren't going to slum if for a season.  If that is the case you have to get a hotel etc.

If, however, your goal is to ride winter conditions back country in some BIG mountains, then go to SA.  You won't be disappointed (unless it doesn't snow, or if it snows too much and shuts you down for a week...)
Jun 16 2008 1:39AM
0 0
profile picture
Klick_2_klaim
Posts: 3396 - Karma: 25
Flights to NZ aren't to bad, but SA is pretty expensive.

Last time I went to Wanaka my flight was a grand and I lived pretty good on $1300 for a month and a half skiing every day. BUt I didn't travel I just shralped the three hills right there.


Jun 16 2008 12:33PM
0 0
profile picture
gkenworthy
Posts: 779 - Karma: 12,869
In past summer's at High North there were plenty of people like 20 and thirty... If I were you I would go to Momentum or COC or any of the camps, but go as a normal camper... The adult camps seem kinda lame, and I think you would learn more with a bunch of young skiers. Although learning with people your age could be useful too. Either way you aren't too old for camp.
Jun 16 2008 12:58PM
0 0
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,752
I needed this thread... thanks. Not only am I old, I'm rookie status. I'd really like to make the camp thing happen... but 2k and up? That's crazy talk. I could beg mom and dad (like I did for woodward in '95) but there's something horrific about the thought of asking mom and dad to send me to summer camp at 24. That's just some downright shameful shit. Maybe next year. I figure at the end of the day, old and as untalented as I may be, I can still bench press the majority of the kids on this site. Booyah!
Jun 16 2008 1:25PM
0 0
profile picture
Karcher
Posts: 3788 - Karma: 1,934
i guess thats something to be proud of
Jun 16 2008 1:51PM
0 0
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,752
uhh..that was a joke if that wasn't obvious.
Jun 16 2008 2:05PM
0 0
profile picture
dorikin
Posts: 1914 - Karma: 16
gonna quote mah man Warren Miller on this one:

"if you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do".


how bout that?

And it really is true. I have wanted to go to camp since I was 14, but I always said next year, next year. Now I am in my twenties and guess what? I never went to glacier camp, and I really regret it. At this point in my life, I just have to many responsibilities to do camp now.

So, I say even if you are 28, who cares? If you have the time, and opportunity to do it, don't even think twice. It is skiing. In BC! It will be fun no matter what.
Jun 16 2008 5:37PM
0 0
profile picture
XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
ha, what kind of big responsibilities can someone in their 20's have? my dad is in his 50's and he has gone to a 2 week long racing camp twice.
Jun 16 2008 7:01PM
0 0
profile picture
starlightlou
Posts: 1668 - Karma: 96
So true... thanks for all the recommendations and motivations everyone. I'm definitely gonna try and make it happen. Hopefully I'll see some of you youngens there ;) Maybe i could get a couple tricks on my skateboard down too... anyone wanna help me perfect an ollie. ;) haha.
Jun 16 2008 7:20PM
0 0
profile picture
Rez4frederick
Posts: 4740 - Karma: 40
It's cheaper just to drive to Mt. Hood and camp out.  Camp is cool though if you can afford to go.
Jun 17 2008 3:20PM
0 0
profile picture
dorikin
Posts: 1914 - Karma: 16

Oh I don't know, classes 5 days a week for the whole summer in addition to working a full-time job while simultaneously trying to sell a house in a really shitty market?

Not everyone has the luxury, nor the cash to take off for a week or two in the summer and ski.

My dad is in his fifties also, he took 4 motorcycle trips and numerous vacations this year. When you get that old you have the money, and the time to do shit.

When you are young enough to take full advantage of a freeride camp, you usually don't have enough money to do camp, unless your parents pay for it, or you commit your whole life to skiing.

/end rant

Jun 17 2008 9:30PM
0 0
profile picture
ogfeez
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 200
Really? is there a camp site there, or do you just roll into the woods, pop a squat and call that area yours? hahahaha, but really....... how do you go about that? Are there other ppl from the camp that do the same? or would i be camping by myself. And to straightlou, i'm right in your age group (well exactly the same age) and have been wondering the samething. Newschoolers had an update for week one at one of the camps and it did seem like a bunch of old school guys just out to have fun skiing, not really into big jumps. It's kinda a week they get things ready for the weeks 2 and on. But that's just how I saw it. Are you looking to go this year or next? I'm contemplating next year, if you decide to go hit me up. Btw i was the guy that PM'd you a while back about your work. Good shit!
Jul 1 2008 4:39PM
0 0
profile picture
XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
thats exactly why if your only like 25-30, dont do an adult camp! your just gonna be with a bunch of actual adults, like 20 years older than you just going to camp to be able to make better tuns and ski moguls.
Jul 1 2008 5:29PM
0 0
profile picture
ogfeez
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 200
pretty much why going week one (adult) would suck. But then there is the other case in which a person (like straightlou was asking) wonder am I going to feel like i'm out of place at a camp full of kids that are way younger and totally ruin the experience for myself. Pretty sure when you get there though you will care less and just have a blast, which is what i'm banking on, but would like to go where there are at least a few ppl close to my age that would go out for some drinks after a day of skiing. Does this happen every night? If you have been to a camp do ppl go out afterwards alot, not so much, or every once and a while?
Jul 1 2008 5:46PM
0 0
profile picture
starlightlou
Posts: 1668 - Karma: 96
hey there ogfeez! If you go up to Whistler i think this is the way to go, but if you go to Windells i think you'd probably need to do the adult camp. I am still thinking about goin, but it probably will be next year. I think the instructors party with the adults, and that's a pretty ongoin thing, however i'm sure it differs depending on the camp. I'm sure it would be a blast no matter what. btw it's starlight not straight. :) haha. oh and thanks for the compliment on the art :)
Jul 1 2008 6:27PM
0 0
profile picture
XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
yeah if you just do a normal session there will be people sorta around your age, i went to HN three times and usually there were a couple people around 22-25ish, a ton around 16-21ish. the people at the adult sessions were like 35 to like 50. and they werent like cool 35 year olds, they were like the buisness type guys, with gaper gear and stuff, some were pretty cool, but your gonna feel like your hanging out with your parents if you do that.
and yeah i think anyone over 18 goes out and drinks and shit.
it seems like ages 13 to around 30 is like its own age group anywhere if you know what i mean. like we are all into the same music, clothing, sports, same attutudes etc... and espeically at a camp it shows, cause everyone is cool with everyone.
like a couple of my good friends are getting close to 30, and they are almost 10 years older than me, and ive got alot of good friends like 5 years younger than me.
as long as your not one of those guys who turns into a complete sell out when they get out of college and goes straight to buisness suits and shit tons of money, you will fit in fine with the rest of that "age group"
Jul 1 2008 6:56PM
0 0
profile picture
landonn
Posts: 2913 - Karma: 385
i can second this. he went to camp with his kids. how lame would that be to be his kid!!! i estimated him at 50 but it turns out he was closer to 40
Jul 1 2008 7:43PM
0 0
profile picture
jsaya_SagStraps
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 29
at windells there was this 40 year old paralyzed chick it was sick she was killin rails too
Jul 1 2008 9:56PM
0 0
profile picture
ogfeez
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 200
yeah kinda saw that after i typed the second message..... i'm an idiot, sorry bout that, just looked at it quick. and no prob on the compliment, it's due. But def thinking about a session since i don't get to ski from january til summer, blah!
Jul 2 2008 3:39AM
0 0
profile picture
StuntCok
Posts: 125 - Karma: 22
I can't remember if I posted this earlier or not but yes, there is an ongoing party in Whistler.  OIther adults, diggers coaches or someone will always be going out.  Last year the only night out I missed was the night after ingrid backstrom drank me under the table (that girl can DRINK and BTW she was there as an adult camper).  I should add, she never made it up the mountain the next day but I did. 

I am 32 now and went to my first HN camp at 29.  There were always other adults, both the business types that will remind the kids of their parents and the more youthful ones.  I like to think of myself as on the youthful side but who knows how old I look to a 16 year old...
Jul 2 2008 5:15AM
0 0
profile picture
Gretchen.
Posts: 1163 - Karma: 87
there was a 43 year old dude who came to windells spring session when i was there.. he learned rails and 3's, he killed it ha
Jul 2 2008 8:14AM
0 0
profile picture
FellowJibber
Posts: 476 - Karma: 12
when im 75. im going to windells
Jul 2 2008 9:27AM
0 0
profile picture
Gretchen.
Posts: 1163 - Karma: 87
ha if it isnt closed or down the drain
Jul 2 2008 10:06AM
0 0
profile picture
Rez4frederick
Posts: 4740 - Karma: 40
There are a bunch of camp sites on both sides of Mount Hood.  Now, Im not talking about just some random spot in the woods, Im talking forest service camp grounds with spots to park your vehicle and a picnic table and fire pit.  One of them is pretty damn nice and has showers and legit bathrooms.  It costs 20 dollars a night to stay there and I just slept in the back of my truck.  It just felt safer and more comfortable staying at a legit campground rather than in some random spot.  I just traveled around to different campgrounds each day to test them out since they all cost the same.  I slept in the back of my truck and had a nice comfy spot back there and just drove out in the morning.  I forget which one it is, but the campground with showers and and nice bathrooms is the best one, some of the others just have outhouses.  When you are driving up to hood, you will see signs for the campgrounds im talking about. I was just by myself, but it was worth it. 
Jul 3 2008 8:38PM
0 0
profile picture
squaw_skier
Posts: 29 - Karma: 10
your never too old you could always go as a ski couch or something and then you get to go skiing and you really dont have to pay for anything

but you can try camp for champs
or momentum for positions or something
Jul 14 2008 2:47AM
0 0
profile picture
squaw_skier
Posts: 29 - Karma: 10
your never too old you could always go as a ski couch or something and then you get to go skiing and you really dont have to pay for anything

but you can try camp for champs
or momentum for positions or something
Jul 14 2008 2:47AM
0 0
profile picture
skiizy
Posts: 2137 - Karma: 16
be a digger!
Jul 14 2008 7:55AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)