Russ Houks Wrestling Camp History: The Legacy of America's First Olympic Training Center and Its Impact on Youth Wrestling Development
From a modest lakeside facility in the Pennsylvania mountains emerged one of American wrestling’s most influential institutions. Russ Houk’s Wrestling Camp at Maple Lake in Forksville, Pennsylvania, didn’t just train wrestlers—it revolutionized how youth athletes approached the sport, established the blueprint for Olympic-level training camps, and created a legacy that continues to influence wrestling instruction today. Between 1962 and 1973, this pioneering program hosted Olympic champions, shaped coaching methodologies, and demonstrated that intensive summer training could transform talented young wrestlers into world-class competitors.
Read More
