The FAQs below will answer your common questions.
To read what some other BMXC families have to say about us: please read our Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews
Registration / Teams / Individuals
When does registration open? Registration opens on January 1st at 12:01am. See the registration tab for more information.
How many kids and teams are at BMXC? It varies. Usually around 300 campers and ~70 teams represented.
How many individuals and how many full teams are at BMXC? It varies. Usually about half the camp is larger groups of 7+ teammates and the other half is smaller groups. There are a lot of individuals every year.
What ages / grades are allowed at camp? We accept campers entering grades 6-12 (typically ages 12-18)
If I'm paying via check, where do I mail it who do I make it out to? Checks can be made out to BMXC or Blue Mountain XC Camp. Put the camper's name and DOB in the memo. Checks can be mailed to
BMXC
207 Richmond Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
If I'm paying via mail-in check, do I still register online? Yes, all registrations can be done online regardless of payment method.
How many kids and teams are at BMXC? It varies. Usually around 300 campers and ~70 teams represented.
How many individuals and how many full teams are at BMXC? It varies. Usually about half the camp is larger groups of 7+ teammates and the other half is smaller groups. There are a lot of individuals every year.
What ages / grades are allowed at camp? We accept campers entering grades 6-12 (typically ages 12-18)
If I'm paying via check, where do I mail it who do I make it out to? Checks can be made out to BMXC or Blue Mountain XC Camp. Put the camper's name and DOB in the memo. Checks can be mailed to
BMXC
207 Richmond Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
If I'm paying via mail-in check, do I still register online? Yes, all registrations can be done online regardless of payment method.
Sell out / waitlist
Does camp sell out? Yes, we are usually 80% full by early May
Is there a waitlist? Only once camp sells out and we strive to make waitlist decisions by late May
Is there a waitlist? Only once camp sells out and we strive to make waitlist decisions by late May
Camp Dates
Do you offer more than 1 week of camp? No, we only offer the one week. But if you're at camp with us, it's the best week ever!
Can you change your camp dates? No, once our camp date is announced it is fixed. As you can imagine there are a lot of factors that go into scheduling a camp.
What if camp conflicts with my team's practices? Our goal is to never conflict with official team practices. With that said, every state is different and sometimes we do conflict the first week of official team practices. In cases of conflict, many coaches still allow their campers to attend BMXC and we are happy to work with coaches to ensure they are comfortable with their athletes attending BMXC in place of official practices. We also fully understand that some coaches make their practices a requirement - the team aspect of our sport and your coach's long term training plan is really important! We would never condone a camper coming to BMXC against their coach's desire.
Can you change your camp dates? No, once our camp date is announced it is fixed. As you can imagine there are a lot of factors that go into scheduling a camp.
What if camp conflicts with my team's practices? Our goal is to never conflict with official team practices. With that said, every state is different and sometimes we do conflict the first week of official team practices. In cases of conflict, many coaches still allow their campers to attend BMXC and we are happy to work with coaches to ensure they are comfortable with their athletes attending BMXC in place of official practices. We also fully understand that some coaches make their practices a requirement - the team aspect of our sport and your coach's long term training plan is really important! We would never condone a camper coming to BMXC against their coach's desire.
Running Groups
Are running groups supervised? Yes, always. If we leave campus the running group stays together with their assigned COACH (or COACHES) and we have road support cars out on the route. If we stay on campus, the group's COACH may be assigned elsewhere but the run is still supervised.
Will I get to run with my teammates? If you are at a very, very similar ability level: yes! But remember that there will be hundreds of other campers so even if you run with a teammate at every school practice - BMXC will have about a dozen or more campers at your ability level and we do split campers up based on ability level. It is not uncommon for you to run with all new people at BMXC but that is part of the great experience we offer all of our campers.
How do you make the running groups? We collect your training data right before camp so we have an accurate view of your training and fitness, and we create groups based on that data.
What if my running group is too easy or too hard? We know the groups are never perfect and encourage every camper to talk with their running group COACH about changing groups. We collect feedback after every run so that we can assess and make changes if a camper needs to run easier or run harder.
Can I run with headphones? No.
What if my training plan has very specific goals? Let us know about it! We are always able to accommodate your training needs, especially if know know about them in advance. Sometimes we get creative and make small compromises, other times your training needs will align perfectly with your running group.
Will I get to run with my teammates? If you are at a very, very similar ability level: yes! But remember that there will be hundreds of other campers so even if you run with a teammate at every school practice - BMXC will have about a dozen or more campers at your ability level and we do split campers up based on ability level. It is not uncommon for you to run with all new people at BMXC but that is part of the great experience we offer all of our campers.
How do you make the running groups? We collect your training data right before camp so we have an accurate view of your training and fitness, and we create groups based on that data.
What if my running group is too easy or too hard? We know the groups are never perfect and encourage every camper to talk with their running group COACH about changing groups. We collect feedback after every run so that we can assess and make changes if a camper needs to run easier or run harder.
Can I run with headphones? No.
What if my training plan has very specific goals? Let us know about it! We are always able to accommodate your training needs, especially if know know about them in advance. Sometimes we get creative and make small compromises, other times your training needs will align perfectly with your running group.
Food / Kitchen / Cafeteria / Allergies
Is the food any good? Yes, it's really good! Even though it's summer camp, you will still eat well. We have a chef and a kitchen staff that make incredible food for us at every meal.
I'm a picky eater, what will I eat? We have always been able to find something that even the pickiest eaters enjoy. We ask questions during registration so that we can have discussions with our campers and their parents before camp if there are any concerns about the food options.
I have a food allergy, what will I eat? Our kitchen makes special meals that are allergen free for almost all allergies. We ask for allergy information during registration so that we can have discussions with our campers and their parents before camp if there are any concerns about food allergies.
I'm a vegan or vegetarian, what will I eat? Our kitchen makes meals for all of our campers are allergen free for almost all allergies. We ask for allergy information during registration so that we can have discussions with our campers and their parents before camp if there are any concerns about food allergies.
What if I get hungry at a time when there isn't a meal? You are allowed to bring individual snacks to keep in your cabin. The "Canteen" is also open some nights and campers can buy sugary snacks and treats - they are $1-3 each (cash only).
Should I bring water? No, unless you have a medical reason to do so.
Should I bring other fluids besides water? It's not uncommon to want an electrolyte drink when you're at BMXC - but it's often easier if you bring a powder packet rather than bottles of premade drinks
I'm a picky eater, what will I eat? We have always been able to find something that even the pickiest eaters enjoy. We ask questions during registration so that we can have discussions with our campers and their parents before camp if there are any concerns about the food options.
I have a food allergy, what will I eat? Our kitchen makes special meals that are allergen free for almost all allergies. We ask for allergy information during registration so that we can have discussions with our campers and their parents before camp if there are any concerns about food allergies.
I'm a vegan or vegetarian, what will I eat? Our kitchen makes meals for all of our campers are allergen free for almost all allergies. We ask for allergy information during registration so that we can have discussions with our campers and their parents before camp if there are any concerns about food allergies.
What if I get hungry at a time when there isn't a meal? You are allowed to bring individual snacks to keep in your cabin. The "Canteen" is also open some nights and campers can buy sugary snacks and treats - they are $1-3 each (cash only).
Should I bring water? No, unless you have a medical reason to do so.
Should I bring other fluids besides water? It's not uncommon to want an electrolyte drink when you're at BMXC - but it's often easier if you bring a powder packet rather than bottles of premade drinks
Cabins / Bathrooms
Do I need to email a request for who will be in my cabin? No. Campers will be assigned to the same cabin as their teammates. Individuals and small teams will be grouped together by age and other factors so that everyone has a great cabin experience. If your camper is one of the rare instances not covered by these cases, we will contact you for more information in June or July.
Does the time when I register affect what cabin I'm in? No - don't worry. Campers will be assigned to the same cabin as their teammates. Individuals and small teams will be grouped together as well so that everyone has a great cabin experience.
Can I request a particular cabin by name? No - we often rotate to give returning campers a new experience.
Are cabins co-ed? No - cabins are single sex.
What are the bathrooms like? Each cabin has a communal bathroom with shower stalls, sinks, and toilets. Each cabin is a little different, but on average there is 1 shower and 1 toilet for every 6 campers. Occasionally the hot water needs a little time to refill before you shower - this is summer camp after all!
When is showering allowed? The cabin bathrooms can be used by its residents during any free time. Campers have opportunities to take showers before and after every meal, after each run, and during any other any time there isn't a required meal, run, or meeting.
Is there heat or AC? No. We recommend that everyone check the weather forecast right before camp starts so that they bring appropriate clothes and bedding - refer to the packing list for all recommended items. The cabins are not insulated, they do have screened windows, and there are a couple ceiling fans in each bedroom.
What are the amenities and accommodations like? Outside of what's answered above - BMXC prides itself on providing a traditional summer camp experience. Each cabin is a little different from the next and each cabin changes a little from year to year. Some cabins have one large bedroom with 30 beds, some cabins have 8 bedrooms with ~8 beds each, and many cabins have 2 bedrooms with 10-20 beds each. Regardless of which cabin you end up in you you get an individual bed with a small shelf and an electrical outlet. Occasionally your bed might be elevated / bunked. Everyone gets a mattress that isn't as comfy as your bed at home, but is great for camp especially when you're tired from a full day of activities.
Are cabins supervised? Yes - every cabin has a staff member assigned to it. Cabins with more campers get more staff. While staff members are not always in their cabin during the daytime they take care of supervising the cabin for the week.
Does the time when I register affect what cabin I'm in? No - don't worry. Campers will be assigned to the same cabin as their teammates. Individuals and small teams will be grouped together as well so that everyone has a great cabin experience.
Can I request a particular cabin by name? No - we often rotate to give returning campers a new experience.
Are cabins co-ed? No - cabins are single sex.
What are the bathrooms like? Each cabin has a communal bathroom with shower stalls, sinks, and toilets. Each cabin is a little different, but on average there is 1 shower and 1 toilet for every 6 campers. Occasionally the hot water needs a little time to refill before you shower - this is summer camp after all!
When is showering allowed? The cabin bathrooms can be used by its residents during any free time. Campers have opportunities to take showers before and after every meal, after each run, and during any other any time there isn't a required meal, run, or meeting.
Is there heat or AC? No. We recommend that everyone check the weather forecast right before camp starts so that they bring appropriate clothes and bedding - refer to the packing list for all recommended items. The cabins are not insulated, they do have screened windows, and there are a couple ceiling fans in each bedroom.
What are the amenities and accommodations like? Outside of what's answered above - BMXC prides itself on providing a traditional summer camp experience. Each cabin is a little different from the next and each cabin changes a little from year to year. Some cabins have one large bedroom with 30 beds, some cabins have 8 bedrooms with ~8 beds each, and many cabins have 2 bedrooms with 10-20 beds each. Regardless of which cabin you end up in you you get an individual bed with a small shelf and an electrical outlet. Occasionally your bed might be elevated / bunked. Everyone gets a mattress that isn't as comfy as your bed at home, but is great for camp especially when you're tired from a full day of activities.
Are cabins supervised? Yes - every cabin has a staff member assigned to it. Cabins with more campers get more staff. While staff members are not always in their cabin during the daytime they take care of supervising the cabin for the week.
Packing list / Luggage / Shoes / spikes
What should I bring? Refer to the packing list for all recommended items.
What should I pack my gear into? Duffle bags and luggage are both acceptable
How many pairs of shoes should I bring? Refer to the packing list for all recommended items. We recommend bringing at least 2 pairs of running shoes because one is bound to get wet. It's also recommended to that you bring water shoes or sandals for the shower and the waterfront. Don't forget to pack newspaper to help dry out your shoes when they get wet!
Do I need to bring XC spikes? No. Refer to the packing list for all recommended items. We don't wear spikes for any of our runs or workouts.
How many pairs of shoes should I bring? Refer to the packing list for all recommended items. We recommend bringing at least 2 pairs of running shoes because one is bound to get wet. It's also recommended to that you bring water shoes or sandals for the shower and the waterfront. Don't forget to pack newspaper to help dry out your shoes when they get wet!
What should I pack my gear into? Duffle bags and luggage are both acceptable
How many pairs of shoes should I bring? Refer to the packing list for all recommended items. We recommend bringing at least 2 pairs of running shoes because one is bound to get wet. It's also recommended to that you bring water shoes or sandals for the shower and the waterfront. Don't forget to pack newspaper to help dry out your shoes when they get wet!
Do I need to bring XC spikes? No. Refer to the packing list for all recommended items. We don't wear spikes for any of our runs or workouts.
How many pairs of shoes should I bring? Refer to the packing list for all recommended items. We recommend bringing at least 2 pairs of running shoes because one is bound to get wet. It's also recommended to that you bring water shoes or sandals for the shower and the waterfront. Don't forget to pack newspaper to help dry out your shoes when they get wet!
Discounts
Are there team discounts? No. We pride ourselves on offering everyone the same low price options regardless of team status. There are no dedicated team discounts but everyone has access to early bird pricing until it ends. See the registration tab for more information.
Are there any other discounts besides team discounts? Yes - while everyone does get the same low price options regardless of team status we do offer an added discount for siblings. See the registration tab for more information.
Are there any other discounts besides team discounts? Yes - while everyone does get the same low price options regardless of team status we do offer an added discount for siblings. See the registration tab for more information.
Cash / Credit cards
Do I need money while at camp? There are no extra charges for any camp activities. You can get through the week without any extra money. However there are two things that you might want to have cash for: merchandise, and late night snacks.
Is there an ATM at camp? No.
Do you accept credit card while at camp? No.
Is there an ATM at camp? No.
Do you accept credit card while at camp? No.
Merchandise
Can I preorder merchandise or buy it online? No, merchandise is only available in-person at camp and we only accept cash.