Ken Chertow, a former Olympian and three-time All-American at Penn State, has been a prominent figure in the wrestling community for many years. Since his time in Happy Valley, he has dedicated himself to running wrestling clinics and camps, aiming to make a significant impact on young athletes. Let's take a closer look at what makes Ken Chertow Wrestling Camps a unique and valuable experience for wrestlers of all ages and skill levels.
Ken Chertow's Philosophy
Chertow emphasizes the profound impact that coaches can have on young athletes, particularly those aged 6 to 18.
“I think you have a more powerful impact on kids ages 6 to 18 than you do with the college athletes."
His mission extends beyond the wrestling mat, aiming to "train kids for life." He recognizes that wrestling provides invaluable life lessons, even for those who may not pursue the sport at the collegiate level.
“But, ultimately, in the developmental years, you can impact kids not just in wrestling but in life tremendously during their youth and their teens."
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“Ultimately our sport, wrestling, is training for life."
“Most kids aren’t wrestling in college, I mean certainly as a coach I look at the Xs and Os."
“I’ve got to make sure they’re having a positive experience in the sport, sticking with it, succeeding in high school and ultimately applying those lessons from wrestling to their future."
While college-sponsored camps are often hastily organized, Ken’s Gold Medal Camp is known for its meticulous planning.
“I started doing camps when I was in college.
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Through a carefully planned sequence of instruction, unique drills, and review sessions, athletes will learn the techniques necessary to become a champion.
Camp Locations and Structure
Ken Chertow initially conducted clinics across the country but later decided to concentrate on his main summer camp in Altoona, Pennsylvania, conveniently located south of Penn State.
“They grew like crazy for a long time. I decided to stop doing them all over the country and just focus on my main summer camp (which) is in Altoona, Pennsylvania, just south of Penn State,” he said.
This camp attracts young wrestlers from various parts of the nation.
“We attract kids from all over the country. We have a huge convention center, it’s attached to a hotel, and it’s just a great situation."
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Additionally, Chertow continues to conduct clinics across the country throughout the year, accommodating requests from different towns.
“I still do clinics across the country during the course of the year like any time somebody reaches out to me and wants to bring a clinic to their town for a day or two, I certainly do that stuff,” Chertow said.
“I enjoy traveling and doing clinics. I love doing that. I love teaching wrestling."
Summer camps are scheduled for June 28 - July 10, 2026 in Manheim, Pennsylvania and July 18 - 23, 2026 in Hamilton, Ohio. Wrestlers will stay at the hotel attached to Spooky Nooks Sports complexes for both the PA and OH camps.
The Gold Medal Training Camp System
The Gold Medal Training Camp System is designed so that wrestlers learn and retain as much as possible.
Unlike most college-sponsored camps that are often thrown together, Gold Medal Training Camps are organized to maximize learning and expand wrestling skill sets for success.
Through a carefully planned sequence of instruction, unique drills, and review sessions, you will learn the techniques necessary to become a champion.
Ken Chertow personally designs the curriculum for every session, directly instructs many of the sessions, and is available for personalized instruction if needed.
Ken trains year-round, experimenting with different techniques while drilling, wrestling, and coaching young wrestlers.
While coaching at Penn State and Ohio State, he had the privilege of working with some of the finest coaches and wrestlers in the nation.
He has attended training camps at the Olympic Training Center regularly since 1984 where he trains with some of the best wrestlers in the world.
He also regularly analyzes videotapes of State, NCAA, and Olympic Championships.
Techniques and Training Focus
The camp curriculum covers a wide array of wrestling techniques, with a strong emphasis on takedowns and mat wrestling.
You will learn an array of set-up actions that will allow you to constantly pressure your opponent while always maintaining a good position.
Learn to attack your opponent in a variety of fashions from all angles using the inside step, knee spin, knee bounce, and low ankle mechanics of penetration.
If your opponent’s legs are back, you must work his head.
You will learn the snap, shuck, head pull, and cross snap so you can wear your opponent down, open up your leg attacks and/or get his head down.
You will learn a unique front headlock, cement job, cement mixer, whizzer and cobra series, as well as essential spin behind techniques, including the back hand and short drag.
The slide by and throw by series will be carefully detailed, so you can score on the opponent who hangs on your collar.
Takedowns are the most important and difficult area of wrestling to master - we focus on mat wrestling unlike many other camps.
Emphasis will be on legs, tilts, & cradles - the most effective ways to turn a good opponent.
Important breakdowns will be drilled as well as unique breakdowns to turns, including side headlock, inside ankle pretzel, and foot hook.
You will learn to control and turn your toughest opponents.
All nearfall techniques will be taught in extra small groups because the finer points are so important.
Chain wrestling from the bottom position will be drilled daily.
You will learn the finer points of the stand-up that will help you pop-up on your feet with back pressure for a quick escape, and you will develop a variety of secondary moves that can be used depending on your opponent's pressure.
You will get to choose which reversal techniques you want expert instruction on and receive this instruction in extra small groups to learn the finer points.
Camp Logistics
Camp resident tuition includes hotel and meals in addition to all of the camp sessions.
95% of our teen campers are resident campers in a hotel room with a few roommates.
The commuter fee is for wrestlers who stay in the camp hotel with parents, reserve an alternate hotel or Air BnB, or live locally and commute.
* Future Champions Camp requires a parent's attendance and the resident option includes a private hotel room for parent and child.
Our camp is located in Altoona, PA at the Blair County Convention Center.
Dedicated wrestlers drive and fly from across the nation to attend our camps.
Transportation
For those flying in, the camp recommends flying into State College airport (SCE). Shuttle arrangements can be made through Freedom Shuttle for group pick-ups.
Each camp's first session begins at 3 pm EST. We recommend flying into State College airport between 10 am and 2 pm on the first day of camp, however, we realize you may need to arrive later and that is fine.
Each camp's final session ends at 11 am EST.