Helper
Camp
USA
Unite. Educate. Evolve.
June 2-5 Knoxville, Tennessee
The Venue
Set on a massive property in beautiful Tennessee, this location has been generously donated by Vicki Keller. It features multiple training fields, an indoor training area, dining tent, lodge and parking for cars, rvs and trailers. Participants will have the possibility to camp with plenty of room to play with their dogs and enjoy the incredible landscape complete walking paths and streams.
This is truly a dog's heaven!
This year's summer camp will allow 48 helpers from the US and Canada to participate, with groups assigned to each instructor. There, they will be submersed in that instructor's learning theory and application.
Each helper will work 2-3 times per day for the first three days.
Additional specialty workshops will allow everyone to join, and live streaming throughout the event may be showing select portions.
Camping is allowed on site and meals will also be provided with purchase of the meal/drink ticket.
Knoxville Airport is 40 minutes from this venue, Nashville Airport is 3 hours away.
HOTELS: Use "Helper Camp" when contacting hotels for group rate.
- Dog Friendly, no extra fees or size restrictions.
- 27 minutes from venue.
- Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, rates are $99. Friday and Saturday, rates are $129.
- Only pets up to 25 lbs, $15 per night, per dog.
- 27 minutes from venue.
- Average of 87.30 per night, book at least 14 days before event for that price, cancel for full refund up to 24 hours prior to check in.
Applying Helpers
Helpers interested can email the coordinator, alexei@helpercampusa.com with a respectful paragraph telling of their current training level, current group or club they work with, mentors and any other information about their experience and interest. They should also submit full session video of their helper work so they can be assigned to the appropriate group.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 23rd
*One sentence emails ("hey can I have more info") will be discarded.
*For liability reasons, no children will be permitted at this event.
Spectators
While this year is still a no spectator event, we will have tickets for sale for a Saturday open house followed by dinner. This will allow ticket holders to experience the individual groups for a half day on Saturday, attend the presentations in the afternoon and join the helpers and volunteers for dinner. Details for this will be posted soon.
Dog Handlers
Helper Camp will be looking for dog handlers to bring their dogs for helper students to work. Priority given to handlers bringing multiple dogs. If interested, please email sarah@helpercampusa.com and include:
NAME, LOCATION AND HOW MANY DOGS YOU ARE COMMITTED TO BRINGING. Put "Dog Handler" in the subject line.
This page will be updated with more instuctor and event details over the next few weeks. Keep checking back and be sure to follow us on Facebook.
Instructor Bios
Gregory Doud
From Deb Zappia to Ivan Balabanov, Greg Doud is one of the most sought after training helpers in the US, working with high level champions and newcomers alike.
His impeccable timing and unique style make him one of the ultimate mentors to learn from and Helper Camp USA is honored to have had him offer up his superior knowledge at this year’s camp.
The list of high level dogs he has developed would be too long to put here, but let's just say, he's good ;)
Marko Koskensalo
As the helper for Bite Club, a club who dominated Finland in the 2000's, Marko was instrumental in putting that club on top, creating a world champion, national champions and world team wins.
He himself has been on the podium at FMBB, FCI and WUSV, with two different dogs. His list of accomplishments is too great to list here and we are delighted at his decision to offer his skill set at this year's camp.
Joeri Veth
You'd be hard pressed to find a helper of the same age with even a fraction of the experience Mr. Veth possesses.
Beginning his helper career as a teenager in Holland, Joeri was fortunate enough to have parents who were/are highly involved in dogsport.
Qualifying four times for WUSV, placing 9th and 11th, he has repeatedly proved his competence as a world level trainer and competitor. With a laid back and realistic teaching style, handlers all over the US fight to get into his workshops. From start to finish, Joeri has loads of experience helping handlers put the points up.
Tim Cutter
On a fast track to becoming the most accomplished competitor the US has produced, Tim's level of perfectionism both inspires and challenges others to step up or step out.
He was the 2020 AWMA champion, 2019 AWDF Champion, 2nd at 2018 AWDF, and 3rd at AWDF 2017. He has competed 4 times at the world championships, coming in 6th at the last FCI Championships, the 2019 event in Austria.
His generous offer to instruct helpers at summer camp is one we are very grateful for.
