See below for a description of last year's events.
National Junior & Adult Cross-Country Camp & Regional Encampment at Ephrata, WA
Dates: June 28 – July 5, 2026
Come join us for our third junior (and adult!) cross-country and badge camp in the beautiful Northwest. Ephrata, Washington is the home of the Seattle Glider Council’s cross-country training center and huge dedicated glider runway in the booming thermal conditions of Central Washington that nonetheless boast some of the most benign territory for cross-country training and badge achievement.
Typical thermal height is 7,000 – 9,000+ AGL, with many small airports and landable dryland farm fields well-distributed throughout the flight area-making for safe landouts, like this pair, 15-year-old Isabel Ulland, and 16-year-old Kylan Mullis...
or this one by 14-year-old Jonathan Hart.
There is a well-established Proving Grounds that you can use to work up to your Silver Distance-three juniors completed their Silver Badges at our 2025 camp, and Gold and Diamond distances are not uncommon.
Attendees: This is an advanced soaring camp for licensed or post-solo student glider pilots age 14 and up that have completed basic cross-country training in the Bronze Badge program. The SSA pays for tows for juniors (under age 26). Adults (age 26+) are encouraged to register and attend at regular SGC membership and tow rates.
Past Camps
Primary Glider Camp July 14-18, 2025
Primary camp was an all-junior event this year. We had juniors come from as far away as Thailand and The Philippines.
Cross Country Academy June 29-July 6, 2025
The second annual SSA-sponsored cross-country academy was a great success, with mentors and students from as far away as Michigan and Florida. There was one five-hour wave flight up to 17,500’, and three juniors completed their Silver Badges at this camp
Cross Country Camp June 30-July 7, 2024
Primary Training Camp July 15-19, 2024 at Hood River, Oregon
Similar to the prior year, except that adults were welcome this year. Whether a beginner or wanting a week of everyday flight as checkride prep, this is our local primary training camp.