O-cademy Camp: Inspiring the Next Generation of Orienteering Champions

We at TRUE STORY have always been big fans of young and determined athletes. For the last two years, we have been supporting the O-cademy training camp project, which is aimed at talented orienteers from all over the world aged 16 to 20. This age group is particularly important because it marks a key developmental phase where young athletes transition from junior to elite levels, making mentorship highly influential for their future growth. O-cademy's vision and goals align with our brand values of giving back as much knowledge and support as possible to the community. Here is what brand owner Edgars Bertuks and ambassador Sandra Grosberga have to say about their experience after organizing this year's camp.

A Dream Come True

"Twenty young and talented orienteers from five different countries come to a camp organized by you in the middle of nowhere, make new friendships, and learn new things from you that probably no one else had ever told them before, which might help them become better athletes. Sounds like a dream? It was, but this August it became reality for me and Edgars."

The O-cademy Vision

It's well-known that training camps play a crucial role in youth athlete development by providing a focused environment for skill improvement and personal growth. We know it from our own experiences. O-cademy is a project that we started last year with the goal of sharing our knowledge and years of experience in elite sports with young orienteering talents. Our aim is to provide an alternative experience to what is usually offered in club or national team camps for young athletes, covering topics that have helped us both improve not just our athletic performance but also our health and overall well-being.

Highlights of This Year's Camp

This year, we organized a three-day camp near Cēsis, Latvia. We began with a contours-only training in a fast pine forest interspersed with greener parts. Contours-only training involves navigating using only the contour lines on a map, which helps athletes develop a deeper understanding of the terrain's shape and elevation changes. It was an excellent introduction for the camp race, which took place the following day. The courses proved very challenging for most of the participants, even those accustomed to the Baltic terrain.

Afterward, we continued with a map drawing session, where we had prepared five short courses, and each athlete had to draw the map for themselves before running those courses. Many runners admitted that they had never done training like this before. We concluded the camp with a sprint training in Cēsis city, once again using hand-drawn maps. This time, athletes were split into teams, and they had to run with a map that someone else had drawn.

Reflections from the Camp

"The first thing that comes to mind when I look back at the camp is a potato game, where almost all camp participants came along to play. It was fascinating how even without knowing the rules, everyone quickly got the hang of it. It was a fun time. :)

In my opinion, the map drawing sessions were something else; they were new and unique, and they changed my perspective on how to approach training. It unlocked my drawing skills and my orienteering imagination. I have implemented a lot of new techniques into my day-to-day life, my overall training quality has improved, and now I feel much more confident before and after races. My pre-race routine has become more refined and detailed. It feels like I am a better athlete now," says Aleksandras Uckornis, a young athlete from Lithuania who took part in the camp.

Holistic Athlete Development

In our lectures, we covered some of the most fundamental topics—not just for athletes, but for anyone who cares about their health—sleep and proper nutrition. We also invited a certified physiotherapist, Andris Jubelis, who provided useful tips on how to improve general body strength and minimize injury risks independently.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We want to thank everyone who proudly wears TRUE STORY clothing. By doing so, you are supporting us and helping young athletes achieve their potential by making camps like these possible. We couldn't do this without you.

Your support fuels dreams, builds community, and helps young athletes grow into the champions of tomorrow.