The Ultimate Training Camp (UTC) is a high-intensity camp held in Ohio, Colorado, Minneapolis, and California. This year, however, with guidelines in place due to the coronavirus, the first ever virtual UTC EVERY was launched. A typical week-long UTC is limited to 150 campers, but this virtual camp was limitless and brought in nearly 1,000 campers.

“A lot of people who participated said they wouldn’t have been able to go to an in-person camp … they are either working, have internships, or can’t break away from their sport training for that long. We didn’t know how many participants there would be, but God led over 900 to it.”- Erin Wellman, UTC Ohio Director

An experience for every athlete, in every sport, in every nation, UTC EVERY challenges the athlete’s view of how God, life and sport are connected. Using biblical principles, interactive activities and guided small group discussions, athletes learn how sport & life integrate into their world of training and competition.

This online experience was spread over the course of five nights, each night dedicated to one of Athletes in Action’s biblical principles of athletic competition. The five principles include …

• Worship — Audience of One
• Identity — Inside Game
• Growth — Holy Sweat, Wholly Surrender
• Persevering through suffering — Hurtin’ for Certain
• Eternal Perspective — Victory Beyond Competition

The first part of the night was spent dedicated to interactive content including worship led by RUN51, principle content from speakers, and labs (real-time application of principles unpacked). In the second half, athletes interacted in small groups led by UTC interns and Athletes in Action staff members.

As athletes dove into principles and engaged in community, they discovered the freeing truth that their identity isn’t wrapped to their performance, it’s tied to Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Their play is ultimately for an Audience of One.

The impact of UTC extends far beyond the competitive careers of college athletes, though. Those athletes continue to influence and lead in their workplaces, families and communities.

“I learned so much. I rededicated my life to Christ as well. I really feel like I can apply these principles to my entire life. I’m so thankful for Athletes in Action and UTC!”–UTC Every attendee

This investment in their lives will be multiplied for years to come. If you’d like to learn more about The Principles, specifically what living for an Audience of One could look like in your own life, click here to learn more!