The 3rd annual, High Profile Adventure Camp presented by High Profile Adventure Racing was held from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5 at the beautiful and historic YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

145 campers and volunteers from 10 states as far away as Florida and California participated in a full weekend of instruction and field practice in navigation, ropes (rappelling, ascending, zip lines, Tyrolean traverses, cable ladders, top rope rock climbing) and cyclocross racing.

Outstanding educational sessions were presented by Dan Boelman, the Customer Service Manager of Zanfel on "Poisonous Plants", Dr. Ron Stonitsch on "Foot Care", Gerry Voelliger, Captain of Team Enviromark/Orthopaedic Specialists on "Adventure Racing Lessons Learned", and Robyn Benincasa on the "8 Essential Elements of Human Synergy", "Race Strategies", and Project Athena.

The ages of the participants ranged from high school students to college students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, to adults. Experience levels ranged from beginners to Eco Challenge and Primal Quest veterans.

Using and reinforcing the skills learned, the camp concluded with a 3 hour sprint adventure race which included a cyclocross course, a 100' rappel, a 300' zip line, exploring two caves, multiple river crossings, a bouldering wall, and an orienteering course.

Camp Director, Gerry Voelliger, was very pleased and encouraged by the strong interest in the camp. He stated, "Adventure racing is very much alive and well in the Midwest. The goal of the camp was to prepare racers with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively participate in an adventure race, from a short sprint to a multi-day expedition. The incredible natural features of Camp Benson and the Mississippi Palisades State Park allowed for training and practice in many of the highly specialized skills inherent to adventure racing. Attendance in the camp will only make for better, more prepared racers in the future. Many of the camps past participants have placed high in races throughout the country. Having Robyn Benincasa participate in the camp was an added highlight. She is a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a truly inspirational and motivational speaker. Her enthusiasm towards the sport and warm personality were well received."

The camp was sponsored by Enviromark, Active Endeavors, SUUNTO, Merrell, Healthy Habits-Quad Cities, Coffee Hound-Quad Cities, SPOT, Eco Lips, Salomon, Thunder Rolls Adventure Race, SOLE, Polar Bottle, and Mountain Hardware.

Robyn Benincasa's appearance was sponsored by ZANFEL.

The camp was sanctioned by the United States Adventure Racing Association.

The 2010 camp is scheduled for April 2 - 4, 2010.

For more information and to view photographs taken by professional photographer, Greg Boll, visit http://www.thethunderrolls.org/camp.

Photos by Greg Boll