Train under the HWA standard.
Train at this year's HWA Summer Camp and be coached by Iowa Hawkeye Alex Marinelli, 4× All-American, 4× Big Ten Champion, and Head Coach of the Hawkeye Wrestling Academy along with the HWA coaching staff and Iowa Wrestling legends.
This is a fully immersive 7-day wrestling experience. Athletes will live the lifestyle: sleeping on the wrestling mats, training, eating, and preparing all in the same environment. The camp is designed to push wrestlers physically and mentally, combining demanding workouts with the proven HWA system.
Camp overview
Our goal is total development — taught through a structured system so athletes understand why techniques work and how to apply them. Whether you are a first year wrestler or a national champion, this camp will be tailored to your needs so everyone can get better.
System-based instruction
Not a buffet of random moves. Each session builds on the last, creating understanding and application.
- Progressive sessions that connect
- Clear “why” behind technique
- Designed for all skill levels
Total development
Neutral, top, bottom, and defense — built through drilling, conditioning, and live wrestling.
- Technique + intense drilling
- Live wrestling sessions
- Physical & mental challenge
Immersion & growth
Overnight athletes receive meals and lodging with professional supervision designed to build independence, discipline, and confidence.
- Sleep directly on wrestling mats
- Daily motivational reading or guest speaker
- Safe, structured environment
- Evening motivational sessions with optional wrestling or faith-based tracks
Camp clinicians
HWA coaching staff along with various Iowa Wrestling legends. (Guest Iowa Wrestling clinicians to be announced)
Registration options & pricing
We offer 3 camp options this year: a 7-day camp (our top recommendation), a 4-day camp, and a 3-day camp. Each camp is capped at a certain number, so we recommend signing up early. Commuter options are very limited.
7-Day Camp
July 19th – July 25th
- Check-in: July 19th at 6:00 PM
- Check-out: After last session on July 25th
4-Day Camp
July 19th – July 22nd
- Check-in: July 19th at 6:30 PM
- Check-out: After last live session of the 22nd
3-Day Camp
July 23rd – July 25th
- Check-in: July 23rd at 6:00 PM
- Check-out: After last live session of the 25th
What's included in the cost?
Open to all wrestlers (boys and girls). Wrestlers must be at least 9 years old. Overnight stays are for boys only. Girls must be commuters when signing up.
- FCA Bible to Every Wrestler
- Camp T-Shirt
- Camp Poster
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Lodging
- Shower facilities
Who can sign up?
Open to all wrestlers (boys and girls). Wrestlers must be at least 9 years old. Overnight stays are for boys only. Girls must be commuters when signing up.
- Open to boys and girls
- Must be at least 9 years old
- Boys can stay overnight; girls must commute
- We recommend at least a year of experience
Overnight vs commuter
Overnight athletes receive meals and lodging, plus professional supervision that is safe, structured, and intentionally designed to build independence, discipline, and confidence on and off the mat.
Commuters: You can stay at a local hotel. No discounted rate due to offering every camper food even as a commuter. Commuters can stay in between sessions during the day. (Commuter option will be available to choose when checking out.)
Shower facilities: Yes, showers are on site. (Boys can only shower on site.)
Overnight sleeping: You will sleep directly on the wrestling mats.
Camp schedule
(24 WORKOUTS / 6 Book Readings / Meals / Games)
Sunday, July 19th
- 6:30 PM
- Check in
- 7:00 PM
- Session 1 / Rules and live wrestling
- 10:00 PM
- Pizza (optional) / Motivational Reading or Guest Speaker
- 10:30 PM
- Lights out
Typical weekday camp schedule
- 7:15 AM
- Wake up
- 7:30 AM
- Daily Run
- 8:00 AM
- Breakfast
- 9:15 – 11:00 AM
- Technique & Intense drilling
- 12:00 PM
- Lunch
- 2:00 – 4:00 PM
- Technique & intense drilling
- 4:30 PM
- Dinner
- 6:30 – 8:15 PM
- Live wrestling
- 10:00 PM
- Pizza (optional) / Motivational Reading or Guest Speaker
- 10:30 PM
- Lights out
Saturday, July 25th
7:15 AM Wake up • 7:30 AM Daily Run • 8:00 AM Breakfast • 9:15–11:00 AM Technique & intense drilling • 12:00 PM Lunch • 2:00–4:00 PM Technique & intense drilling
HWA Summer Classic Weigh-in following last session for those signed up for HWA Summer Classic on Sunday, July 26th.
Before signing up, please read
A high standard of behavior and moral values are enforced at the HWA Summer Camp.
High Standard
A high standard of behavior and moral values are enforced at the HWA Summer Camp. With a zero tolerance policy for violators, bullies, and those who haze others will be sent home without refund.
Refunds
Signing up for a camp secures your spot and takes away a bed from other potential campers. These camps sell out.
NO refunds are given for not attending a camp unless you have a doctor's note due to injury or infection. No exceptions!
Commitment to Excellence
Come to camp IN SHAPE! This camp is for serious wrestlers. Showing up unprepared limits your growth and increases the chance of injury.
There will be limited spots available for this camp. The spots will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis.
FAQ
Common questions about commuting, showers, sleeping, and lodging.
Camp clinicians + –
HWA coaching staff along with various Iowa Wrestling legends. (Guest Iowa Wrestling clinicians to be announced).
Registration + –
There will be limited spots available for this camp. The spots will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. We will close registration once we hit max capacity. Commuter options are very limited.
Who can sign up? + –
Open to all wrestlers BOYS AND GIRLS. Wrestlers must be at least 9 years old and a boy to stay on site overnight. (Only boys can use shower facilities. Girls must be commuters when signing up) (We recommend at least a year of experience before signing up for the HWA summer camp)
Can I sign up for the camp as a commuter not stay on site? + –
You can most certainly be a commuter and stay at a local hotel but we do not give a discounted rate due to offering every camper food even as a commuter. Commuters can stay in between sessions during the day. (Commuter option will be available to choose when checking out)
Do commuters receive meals? + –
Every camper that signs up for camp receives meals. Commuter and overnight camper.
Will there be shower facilities? + –
Yes, there will be shower facilities on site. (BOYS CAN ONLY SHOWER ON SITE)
Where will I sleep as an overnight camper? + –
You will sleep directly on the wrestling mats. (We recommend bringing a sleeping bag, pillow. You can bring an air mattress if you have one.) Cots are NOT allowed. At all times there will be head counselors on site. Overnight campers will always have supervision throughout the entire duration of this year's HWA Summer Camp.
Will there be a gear store at the hwa summer camp? + –
We will have a gear store at this year's HWA Summer Camp and also this year's HWA Summer Classic wrestling tournament.
If my kid is a commuter can he be dropped off early stay all day and be picked up at night each day? + –
Absolutely, your athlete can be signed up as a commuter but still stay all day for the training, motivational talks and the meals.
Can parents watch training sessions and attend motivational talks? + –
Parents are welcome to come and spectate any workout, technique and motivational talk. (Live sessions at night are typically the most popular for parents to spectate) We ask that if parents choose to attend that they respect the coaches and athletes by remaining quiet and to not distract or try to coach their athlete during workouts by getting on the wrestling mats or yelling from afar. We understand the level of commitment it takes when signing your athlete up for camp but we encourage each of our athletes to be solely focused on the coaches and clinician's instructions and their effort rather than looking towards their parents for approval. Going through the workouts independently to be totally immersed in the process.
Where can I stay if I want lodging near my child? + –
We will recommend nearby accommodation once location is announced.
Can I stay onsite with my child? + –
We DO NOT allow parents of athletes to stay on site. We have head coaches and head counselors staying on site who are trusted, safesport certified and background checked.
Camp packing list
(This will be sent via email days before our camp)
Essentials
- Notebook to take notes
- Soap and skin wipes
- Neosporin
- Lotrimin (ringworm precaution)
- Vitamin C / Multivitamins
- Wrestling shoes (bring multiple pairs if able)
- Head gear (optional)
- Shower shoes (if desired)
Clothing & gear
- T-Shirts (1 recommended for each workout)
- Long sleeve T-shirts
- Shorts (1 recommended for each workout)
- Sweatpants
- Sweatshirts
- Socks and underwear (pair recommended for each workout)
- Singlets (Singlet Night Practice — optional)
- Towels
- Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, etc.)
- Athletic tape (if used)
Sleep & extras
- Sleeping bag, air mattress or blanket
- Pillow
- Plastic bags for dirty clothes
- Spending money for pizza & camp store (optional but recommended)
- Multiple water bottles (metal ones clean best)
WRITE YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING! We recommend writing your name on all items to decrease lost or misplaced gear.
Camp food information
Meals
Overnight campers will be provided with 3 meals a day. There will be a camp store in the facility where snacks and drinks can be purchased for an additional fee.
Pizza delivery
If campers want a 4th meal, we take pizza orders after the first morning drill session every day so that pizza can be delivered at a good time after the live sessions at night. (This is very popular.) Pizzas are $15 each; kids often split the cost.
Food allergies
Food allergies or special needs should be emailed to camp manager Koye Grebel before the start of camp. Please get this to us—we try to plan meals in advance.
koye-grebel@uiowa.eduLodging near camp
Where can I stay if I want lodging near my child?
We will recommend nearby accommodation once location is announced.
Can I stay onsite with my child?
We DO NOT allow parents of athletes to stay on site. We have head coaches and head counselors staying on site who are trusted, safesport certified and background checked.
Registration
There will be limited spots available for this camp. Spots are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. We will close registration once we hit max capacity. Commuter options are very limited.
Important reminders
- First-come, first-served registration
- Registration closes at max capacity
- Commuter options are very limited
- No refunds without doctor’s note due to injury or infection
- Zero tolerance for bullying/hazing; sent home without refund
Contact
Contact the camp manager for more information.
