Ultimate Defender camp began in 2013 in the mountains of Pennsylvania at a traditional sports camp, Camp Maple Lake: grass fields, cabins, dining hall, and lots and lots of nature. The mission was to take young athletes off of college campuses and train them in a space that was purpose-built for learning. In the last two decades, camps have shifted focus from development to recruitment, and as a result, kids are attending camps to be seen by their dream schools before they’ve even learned the game. There’s enough pressure at those camps. UDGKA was founded to create a space where goalies could be entirely focused on becoming the best goalkeeper they could be - no matter what level they’re at, in a place that is nothing like the pressure cookers they attend the rest of the time.

In our time at Maple Lake, we lamented that the camp experience would have been greatly improved with the addition of turf and lights. Then, Camp Maple Lake was sold and the new owners discontinued its use as a sports camp.

Moravian University opened its doors to us in 2022, thanks to Sarah Dalrymple, a dedicated UDGKA coach and Head Coach at Moravian. We got our turf and our lights. And air conditioning. And wifi. Moravian was great for three summers - in those years Ultimate Defender camp doubled in size, topping out at 95 goalies and 26 coaches in 2024 (with a waitlist!).

Then the universe gave us another nudge, making Moravian unavailable to us in 2025 and pushing us to find a new home again. It was just the nudge we needed - it was time for Ultimate Defender to find a facility that really aligned with the original vision.

Golden Goal Sports Park was founded in the spirit of creating a haven for athletes to eat, sleep, and breathe their sport. It doesn’t hurt that it’s set in the picturesque Adirondack mountains! Four turf fields, flood lights on every turf, Olympic Village-inspired housing, challenge course, bonfires, gaming rooms, hammocks, and fresh mountain air. Just add the goalies and it is the perfect home for Ultimate Defender! We can train hard, play hard, and relax hard.