To accomodate wrestlers traveling a long distance and to permit more wrestling time, wrestlers are invited to arrive as early as Wednesday, July 12, 2017. The basic registration fee as noted below covers Friday evening through Sunday, as in past years. For those arriving on Wednesday or Thursday there will be a small additional camping ($15/night) and meal fee. Please note your arrival date and any special meal needs on the space provided on the registration form.
 
Volunteers are needed for setup on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, and for breakdown on Sunday, July 16, 2017. Please contact Nick.
 
Hillside is a 235+ acre campground for men located in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, just off PA Route 848 in Gibson near I-81 at Exit 219 (prior to 2001 it was Exit 66). This is between Scranton, PA and Binghamton, NY.
 
For those traveling by air, the nearest airport is the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton International Airport served by U.S. Airways, Continental, United Express and Delta Commair. Click here for the airport website with further information, directions, etc. Rides are available from this airport to camp; please indicate if you need a ride or would like to help. Binghamton, NY also has a domestic airport which some wrestlers used in 2002; their website is www.binghamtonairport.com. There's also the Lehigh Valley international airport in Allentown, PA whose website is www.lvia.org.
 
Other major airports within 3 hours travel time are Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia, Newark and Philadelphia International Airports. Rental cars are available at all airports. Bus lines such as Martz Trailways, Greyhound and Short Line also serve Scranton and Binghamton. Rail travel is also possible, but the nearest Amtrak stop is 60 miles away, in Syracuse, NY, so this would require another means of getting to Hillside from there. If you need transportation from Scranton to the camp, let us know.
 
Wrestling takes place on group campsite #60 on regulation mats. Wrestlers can camp in their own tent on site #60. For those without a tent, limited space is available to sleep on the main mats under the big tent after wrestling is concluded. There may be a few tents available on a first-come-first-served basis. You should bring your own air mattress (if needed), sleeping bag and pillow. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on site #60.
 
Wrestlers staying on site #60 will also receive the catered meal package Friday evening through Sunday Brunch ending at 1PM. Wrestlers who arrive early will be charged extra for meals through Friday lunch (see details below).
 
The total cost of camping on site #60 for the weekend is $190.00 ($170.00 for early registration prior to April 1, 2017) which includes the camp fee, membership fee, meal package (Friday evening through Sunday Brunch), healthy snacks, keg of beer and birch beer, use of the big tent, mats, first aid supplies and a commemorative wrestling t-shirt. Each year's shirt has a new design, and some previous years' shirts may be available. Please note that the camp increased their fees in 2011: for early arrivals, the camp will charge $15 per night for Wednesday and Thursday, upon your arrival at the camp office. The extra cost (per day) for meals is as follows: $5 for each breakfast and lunch (Wednesday through Friday); $10 for each dinner (Wednesday and Thursday). There is no extra charge if your arrival is on or after Friday evening. Extra meals may be paid for with your registration or upon your arrival at camp. When you register, please include your estimated arrival time so we can plan food purchases accordingly and know how many early meals to prepare.
 
Based on previous years' experience, it is strongly recommended that all wrestlers camp on site #60, the group campsite. The wrestling group camaraderie and interaction is great. Wrestlers from all over the USA, Canada and Europe will be there. While there are some delis and motels within 15 miles of the campsite, such as the Holiday Inn Express, I don't recommend that, as you lose out on the unique experience of being at Hillside; the camaraderie and wrestling, the other campers, the special events, and so on. The food at camp is cooked specially for us wrestlers and is all-you-can-eat). Please note any special dietary (e.g. medical) needs on the registration form).
 
In addition to wrestling, activities available include swimming, volleyball, hiking, and evening campfire and disco. Cyclists and runners can get a great workout on the on- and off-site triple-chainring mountainous terrain. The camp is in a valley around 1350-1500 feet and most nearby roads lead to the passes at 1800-2000 feet.
 
The climate is mountainous, more so than one would think from the relatively low altitude. Days are usually warm, with much cooler nights, sometimes with significant variations from mountain to mountain. However, the nights were very warm during the 2006 and 2007 wrestling weekends, and mild since. 2011 had especially warm nights, sometimes not dropping below 70. But take a jacket or sweatshirt just in case. As this is a very popular weekend, you should register early while there's still space. Cancellations received by July 2, 2017 will receive a full refund.
 
No liquor or beer is sold at Hillside. However, the camp provides a keg of beer and birch beer at no charge. If you have any particular beverage preferences, please note it under Requests on the registration form. Wrestlers must be 21 years of age or older to enter camp. See you on the mats!
 

The author of this web page has been to Hillside Wrestling Weekends in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016. It just gets better every year. More wrestling information (clubs, resources, pictures, etc.) can be found on my Wrestling Page and on the Palaestra. Any other cyclists who might want to coordinate travel plans between the Greater New York City/New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania area and Hillside are welcome to e-mail me.

 

Last perlscript update, July 18, 2016