Players ages 14-19 of all genders who are interested in taking their skills to the next level with instruction from a U.S. National Team coach, especially those who are interested in potentially trying out for a National Team (open, woman/girl-matching, or mixed). While the camp format will be primarily mixed gender, if there are enough registrants of different genders, campers will be divided up into similar gender groups for some periods of time.
Note: To be eligible to try out for the 2026 World Junior Ultimate Championships (WJUC) in the upcoming tryout cycle, athletes must be at least 14 years old and not yet 20 years old on December 31, 2026. But that max age requirement is not enforced for attending this camp, as it still provides any young player with a beneficial skills development opportunity.
WHAT:
Hosted by Carleton College Ultimate, and operated by U.S. National Team Coach, John Groess, this full day Talent ID camp is designed to give attendees insight and experience in the skills, tactics and challenges employed at U20 National Team tryouts. It will be an opportunity for players to receive a better understanding of their own skills, where they can improve, learning from other players and new coaches, along with a glimpse into U.S. National Team culture and tryout processes. While the format will be primarily mixed gender, if there are enough registrants of different genders, campers will be divided up into similar gender groups for some periods of time.
John Groess has been involved with multiple cycles and delegations of the U.S. National Team program, most recently as Head Coach for the 2024 WUC Mixed National Team that won a gold medal in Gold Coast, Australia. Prior to that, he was Head Coach for the 2023 Beach Mixed National Team that won a bronze medal in Huntington Beach, CA. He has also coached at the middle school, high school, college, and club level, as the current coach of Benilde-St. Margaret's Middle School mixed team, Benilde-St. Margret's High School women's team, and Minneapolis Drag'n Thrust in the adult club mixed division. John started playing ultimate in high school in 2001 at Cretin - Derham Hall. While there, he competed in various national level tournaments and won a state championship in 2004. After high school, John played college ultimate at St. John's University, competing in DIII nationals each of his four years. After college, he has played on various club teams in both single gender and mixed play. He has played internationally in South Africa, Spain, Germany, and the UK. He was a member of the Spanish National Team in 2016 that competed in WUGC in London, England.
Registration includes a full day of instruction from a U.S. National Team coach, a U.S. National Team numbered reversible tank (Spin Ultimate), a U.S. National Team disc (Discraft Ultrastar), lunch in the middle of the day, plus snacks and water (bring a refillable bottle).
COST:
$110 for the full one-day camp.
NOTE: Unfortunately, the overnight camp, Carleton Ultimate Summer Program (CUSP) that was scheduled immediately after this one-day camp has been cancelled.