Youth Camp Forum with OUSA – hear the COC Youth participants this Thursday (Sep. 25)

September 22, 2025 by

This July, three COC youth athletes – Finlay Rebbeck, Zoe Liu Coates, and Ally Liu Coates – joined 250 athletes from around the world at Silva O’Camp, an IOF-endorsed orienteering camp in the Czech Republic. They were supported by three US coaches, including COC’s own Training Coordinator, Caroline Sandbo.

The camp balanced serious training with plenty of fun. In the beautiful Czech forests, athletes tackled Memory-O, downhill courses, O-intervals, relays and race simulations, plus a sprint in the streets of Vidnava. Off the map, they cooled off with river dips, played endless card games, gathered around campfires, and joined in Olympic-style games, discos, and even a triathlon (swim, run, orienteer). Along the way, new international friendships were forged and the USA cabin was buzzing with laughter and camaraderie.

For young orienteers eager to grow their skills – whether aiming toward EYOC or JWOC qualification, or just wanting to combine summer-camp adventure with the sport they love – Silva O’Camp is an unforgettable experience. (Parents beware: once they go, they’ll almost certainly want to return!) And for those wondering about costs: the camp itself is quite reasonable – travel is the biggest expense.

You can read more about the experience on the OUSA site. Even better, hear directly from athletes and coaches at the OUSA Forum this Thursday September 25 at 5:30pm PT, via Google Meet.