Imagine being a young athlete, 15, 16, or 17 years old, with larger-than-life dreams of going pro. Maybe you’ve already had your first taste of success, along with your first doubts, and you know the road ahead is long and full of obstacles. That’s where the On Youth Camp comes in.
The idea of creating this camp came about roughly two and a half years ago, aiming to connect with young athletes at what’s probably the most critical stage of their careers. It’s that age where you start to see your future, but you still need tools, support, and, most importantly, someone to help guide you. On decided to be that “someone.”
I won’t lie—when I first heard about this project, I was immediately intrigued because we’ve been talking for a while about the best way to train up-and-coming athletes. You know, those young adults who—still teenagers—juggle school and sports, often putting their social lives on the back burner. So, when On gave me the chance to head to St. Moritz and check out the camp, I didn’t think twice: I watched them train, chatted with the young athletes, and, most importantly, spent time with Silja Mühlebach, Athlete Manager at On, and Emelia Gorecka, former professional athlete, Brand Activator at On and the camp’s coach.
Beyond what you’ll find here, I’d highly recommend tuning into the latest episode of Il Lungo, featuring interviews with Silja and Emelia. Hearing their passion and genuine determination is super inspiring, and it brings a sense of optimism for the future of the sport.
A holistic approach that goes beyond sports
Silja is one of the key people behind the On Youth Camp, and she told me that the concept was clear right from the start: “not to put them under pressure or with high expectations from us as a brand, but rather provide them with an experience that will help them develop as humans and athletes.” The main goal is to offer real support that isn’t just about sports performance; it’s about the athlete’s growth, both on and off the track. A holistic approach—a term that’s been thrown around a lot lately, but in this case, it fits perfectly—that really reflects how On sees its relationship with athletes: not just a traditional sponsorship, but a true partnership.
And that’s how the Athlete Compass was born, a program led by former pro triathlete and Olympic champion Nicola Spirig. “When she retired, she found herself asking, ‘What am I going to do with my career?'” says Silja. “So, we had long talks with her, and that’s where the Athlete Compass approach came from.” The program aims to give On’s professional athletes skills that often aren’t taught: from managing social media and personal branding to finance, mental health and professional development. Because, let’s be real, being a professional athlete isn’t just about running fast or jumping far. It’s about being prepared to face the world during and after an athletic career, and understanding all its complexities. On’s Youth Camp mirrors this holistic approach for the young athletes.
A camp of sports, life, and human connections
The days at the camp are filled with a dynamic program, always flexible enough to adapt to the athletes’ needs. “Every evening, we send a message in the WhatsApp group to share the plan for the next day,” explains Emelia Gorecka, the camp’s coach. “It could be a training session, a gym activation, or one of our many workshops.”
And that’s where the beauty of this experience lies: it’s not just about sports—even though, seeing those kids running at a sub-4-minute pace, you’d think otherwise. The workshops cover everything from nutrition to high-altitude training, to often-overlooked topics like the menstrual cycle in sports and mental health. The goal is simple: to help young athletes become more aware and prepared. Not just as runners, but as people.
And the life of an athlete is also about the little things that, at the end of the day, make all the difference: shopping for groceries, cooking meals, doing the laundry. These are all part of the daily routine at the camp and teach independence—a fundamental value for anyone dreaming of becoming a pro. As Emelia puts it: “So, they shop for themselves, so when they come back from their training sessions, mom and dad aren’t cooking for them. They have to think about what’s for lunch and dinner. They have to shop for it, come back and make it, and then clean it all up.”
A family away from home
“One of the most beautiful things we see here,” says Emelia, “is how the kids start supporting each other. Maybe at first, they’re shy, they don’t know each other, and there’s even a language barrier, but by the end of the week, they’re saying goodbye like old friends.” And the concept of family comes up often when talking about the On Youth Camp. It’s not just a sports camp, but a community that forms, even if just for a few days, and then meets again at competitions, as rivals and friends.
The same kind of community is reflected in the On Athletics Club (OAC), where athletes spend months together, traveling, training, and building connections that go beyond races and competitions. As explained in the OAC Q&A: “they describe themselves as a family because they spend eight months of the year training, traveling, and competing together.”
Looking to the future with new confidence
In the end, what really sticks with me after two days at the On Youth Camp is an experience that goes way beyond just athletic training. Sure, they train, they run, they improve. But the real value is in everything they take away: the lessons learned in the workshops, the coaches’ advice, and, most importantly, that these kids get a taste of what it’s like to live as a professional athlete. Plus, those human connections and relationships that help them grow, always.
I have to say—being there in person and talking to Vittore, the Italian participant, and U18 European Championships 3000 meter silver medalist—it was moving to see how the athletes opened up and built connections with each other. “Our goal is to give young athletes skills they can integrate into their training. We want to get to know them and provide them with life skills they can carry away from this experience for their future careers,” explains Silja.
The On Youth Camp is so much more than just a week of training. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation to become not just better athletes, but complete athletes. And, for my part, I can’t wait to see where this journey takes them.