Altitude Camp
about
Developing collegiate distance runners to excel in competitive running and Christian living. Join us for the week of July 25 – August 1, 2021 in beautiful Mammoth Lakes, California.
train at 7500 feet in awe-inspiring territory
Altitude Camp exists to help collegiate distance runners train and grow physically, spiritually, and socially with other runners & amazing staff from around the nation.
Some call Mammoth Lakes, California, at 7500 feet of elevation, running heaven.
Not only is the town surrounded by beautiful scenery, mountain lakes, and impressive peaks, the area is also loaded with miles of powder-soft singletrack- perfect for distance runners.
Oh, and did we mention Mammoth Lakes is also at the ideal elevation to stimulate an altitude training response? It’s no wonder that elite American distance runners flock to Mammoth Lakes every year.
Learn How Your Faith and Sport Intersect
We create an environment that is both intentional and relational for pursuing spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. Through daily times of worship and Bible study, you will have the opportunity to examine God’s Word and see how your purpose in life is shaped by His plan.
But what does this look like practically? It’s a difficult concept to experience in isolation. That’s why we save plenty of time to train, have fun, and live life with others who are passionate about their relationship with God.
Create Lasting Friendships
At Altitude Camp, you won’t just be attending another distance running camp. You’ll be investing in a dynamic relationship with the God who loves you, and also engaging with other cross country and track runners who are on the same journey. Together, we’ll be pushing and encouraging one another to greater spiritual and athletic growth.
With a purpose so great, it’s no wonder that lasting bonds have been created at the Altitude Project. Friendships, training partners, coaching opportunities, and – while we can’t guarantee it – even the beginnings of marriages have started here.
what You will experience
- Ideal Training Location
- Environment to grow spiritually
- Learn how to glorify God as a distance runner and represent Christ on your team
- Create life-long relationships
- Get a leg up on the competition by training at altitude
- Free time to train, be alone with God, or check out Mammoth Lakes and nearby recreation areas.
From enjoying fellowship with other Christian runners... I learned to apply my faith to my everyday living. Learning about having a personal relationship with God completely changed my life and re-ordered my priorities.
Amanda Rego
Pro Runner & Coach, 7x All-American and NCAA Runner Up for Florida State
Community is the most important thing we can build in our lives. At Altitude Project you can’t help but become part of an amazing community of people that love God and love to run. I highly recommend attending the Altitude Project.
Ryan Hall
Olympic Marathoner, American Half Marathon Record Holder
Daily Schedule
Primary Workout
Brunch
Bible Study
In a small group setting led by an ALTITUDE staff member, we explore, discuss, apply, and are challenged as we study together.
Mentoring / Free Time
TRAINING TIDBITS
SECONDARY WORKOUT
Dinner
ALTITUDE SESSION
OTHER ACTIVITIES
We spend one day at some of the most beautiful and amazing places nearby: Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Mountain, the Devil’s Postpile National Monument & Rainbow Falls.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fly or Drive! Our travel days are the Sundays at the start and end of each week (July 22, 29th, and Aug 5th).
Driving: If you’re in driving distance, have an awesome time road-tripping out! Please arrive by 5pm on Sunday!
Flying: You have the 2 options below.
#1 Fly into Mammoth Lakes, CA (MMH): We can pick you at whatever time you fly in/out on Sunday. (This is probably the most convenient (although more expensive) way to get to camp.)
#2 Fly into Reno, NV (RNO): We will pick you up and shuttle you to Mammoth Lakes. Your arrival flight needs to land at or before 2PM on Sunday. You departure flight needs to leave at 1PM or later on Sunday.
You betcha! Five or more athletes from the same school receive a $30 discount off of each athlete’s fees.
In short, you get a discount! Returning athletes receive $30 off your fee for each new athlete who comes because of your referral. (Void if part of a team discount)
You can pay using credit card, bank transfer, or Paypal balance. It’s all handled through Paypal. 
Oh yeah! Thanks to our generous donors, we have some scholarship funds available. Please complete our scholarship application and we’ll get back to you.
Your fees go directly towards the expenses incurred during camp. Think food, gas, lodging, supplies and materials, All staff and counselors at Altitude Project are volunteers, which keeps costs reasonable despite Mammoth Lakes being a spendy location.
CAMP STAFF
At Altitude Camp, there is a team of staff and counselors committed to your spiritual and athletic success. Each year we pray and plan extensively so you will get the most out of your time here.
Nick Schuetze
Director
AKA: “Shooter”
Resides in: Colorado Springs, CO
University: BS from University of Portland (UP) in 2004, grad studies @ UP, and I am taking classes at Denver Seminary towards a Masters in Counseling.
HS Track & XC: 8:46 3k, 4:03 1500m, 4th at Nike WA/OR Border Clash XC meet, 15:25 XC 5k
XC College: D1 Track & XC @ University of Portland: 9th at US Junior XC Nationals (2000), 2-time WCC XC Champion.
Post-collegiate: 1st place @ NACAC in mountain race (up and down) 12K ’07, 1st place @ St. George Marathon in 2:16:42, 48th in US Olympic Trials Marathon ’07 in 2:21:36.
PR’s: 4:12 mile (i), 8:18 3k (i), 14:12 5k (track), 24:23 8k XC, 29:52 10k (road), 66:30 half-marathon, 2:16:42 marathon.
What I do when I’m not at ALTITUDE: I work for CRU, a college ministry, at UCCS. I run w/, mentor, and am the unofficial chaplain for the XC/track team. I also engage with other post-collegiate runners in Colorado Springs, dabble in photography, and have been known to ballroom dance.
Favorite ALTITUDE run: Deer Lake Hilly Run
Favorite ALTITUDE meal: NOT teriyaki chicken (dangerous), so fruit-filled pancakes!
Why I’m excited to be an Altitude Project staff member: I love seeing athlete realize how to bring together their two great loves, running and faith, together in a way that brings God glory and demonstrates God’s love and truth to others. This is a huge part of how I was transformed at the Altitude Project way back in 2005. I hope every runner who comes will experience transformation that enables them to know God more clearly and walk with Him the rest of their life.
Rachel Valliere
Director
Current Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA.
Graduated from: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (undergrad) and Liberty University (graduate school)
Running experience: Ran for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as an undergrad (3 years) and Liberty University as a graduate student (1 year).
PRs: 5K: 17:34 3k: 10:08.
What I do when I’m not at ALTITUDE: I works at a sports clinic as a deep tissue massage therapist, primarily on athletes and chronic pain patients. I am currently training for an Ironman triathlon and love riding my bike and playing ping pong.
Favorite ALTITUDE Run: Deer Lake
Favorite ALTITUDE meal: Burritos
Why I’m excited about being on staff: I believe it is invaluable to be a part of, and help to facilitate, lives being changed for the better. It is so cool to watch college athletes connect their faith to their training in order to build a stronger foundation of understanding their unique value and purpose which will help give a confidence for the rest of their lives.
Tyler Werner
Counselor
AKA: TyTy
Resides in: Houston, Texas
Graduated from: Sam Houston State
Running experience: Decided to run a marathon
Current PRs: 3:46 Marathon 0-10 miles per week
What I do when I’m not at ALTITUDE: I work for the Houston Fire Department doing fire fighting and EMT. I also play kickball, volleyball rec leagues
Favorite ALTITUDE run: TBD
Favorite Mammoth hangout: TBD
Cali Werner
Counselor
AKA: Cali – Cal – Califlower :p
Resides in: Houston, TX
Graduated from: Rice University (May, 2017)
Running experience
XC College: Division 1 Track
Post-collegiate: Houston Marathon: 2018 – 1 st Houstonian; 1 st in the 20-24 age group
Current PR’s: Houston Marathon: 2:48:55, 10k: 34.01, 5k: 16.14
What she does when she’s not at ALTITUDE: Loves the outdoors and exploring with her pup, calligraphy, beach volleyball
Favorite ALTITUDE run: Yosemite exploring and the mountain run
Favorite Mammoth hangout: Stellar Brew Coffee Shop
Why I am excited to be on staff with the Altitude Project: I get the opportunity to be a part of other runners walk/run with Christ while doing something we all love and growing even more in my own faith.
Matt Sheeks
Webmaster
AKA: “Sheeky,” “Freaky Sheeky,” etc.
Resides in: La Grande, OR
Graduated from: University of Portland, BBA (2005), University of Portland, MBA (2006)
Running experience: Stud college runner that turned into a triathlete.
XC College: 2005 WCC Conference Champion, 2006 All-Region
Post-Collegiate: 1st – 2009 ITU Amateur Duathlon World Championships, 1st- 2010 USAT Pro Duathlon National Championships, 5th Pro – 2012 Ironman St. George, 5th Pro – 2012 70.3 Ironman Mount-Tremblant, 6th Pro- 2012 Ironman Canada
Current PR’s: 3:50 1500m, 4:09 mile, 14:04 5K, 29:14 10K, 1:10Half, 2:52 Marathon (during an Ironman), 4:07 Half-Ironman, 9:08 Ironman
What I do when I’m not at ALTITUDE: When not training or racing, you’ll see me coaching local triathletes and marathoners, mentoring college students and leading Bible studues through my involvement with EOU In Action, a spiritual resource for college students. If you have questions for Matt, want to discuss training, God, or life, I would love a personal email at matt@tritheos.com.
Favorite ALTITUDE run: The run to Rainbow Falls and Devil’s Postpile
Why I’m excited to be an Altitude Project staff member: Mainly to see if I can make Nick Schuetze and/or Paul Davis suffer on a couple runs! But other than that, I love the perspective that everyone who attends the ALTITUDE Project comes away with: (1) realizing there are people just like them all over the country striving to glorify God and make him known through distance running, (2) realizing that competition is a worthy goal for believers, and one that we can support each other in.
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