Georgetown University Nike Tennis Camp Washington, District of Columbia
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The Georgetown University Nike Tennis Camp is a day camp for young athletes to come and take their tennis game to the next level. At this excellent summer camp, different options are available for all skill levels and ages 6-17. Campers will work hard, make new friends and have a lot of fun.
Our junior tennis camps combine technical tennis instruction and drilling from a top notch coaching staff, supervised match play, and a variety of evening social activities. Join the fun this summer and elevate your game!
We are offering six weeks of full day and half day options for kids ages 6-17 as well as utilizing the "10 and Under Tennis" program for campers ages 6-10 and are just learning the sport.
Highlights Include
- Daily instruction from head men's and women's coach, Gordie Ernst, and his experienced staff
- Every camper receives a Nike Tennis Camp T-shirt
- 5-6 hours of daily instruction with low camper to staff ratio and constant supervision
- Gain self-confidence through tennis success
Georgetown University overlooks the Potomac River and Nation's Capital. While it is surrounded by political institutions, a high-tech economy, cultural venues, museums and performance centers, Georgetown University retains a small-town feel, creating a comfortable and friendly environment for campers. Camp takes place on the beautiful, 14-court (outdoor) Georgetown varsity tennis facility. Additional indoor courts are available in case of rain.
Meet your coaching staff
Camp Director
Gordie Ernst
Gordie Ernst is in his sixth year as the Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Georgetown University. He has accumulated a total of 55 win between the two programs and had 59 BIG EAST Academic All-Stars.
Read Full BioIn 2010, Earnst led the women's squad to an impressive late-season run as the team defeated Seton Hall, Villanova and Connecticut to narrowly miss a BIG EAST Tournament berth. The women also defeated Penn earlier in the season to get the program's first-ever victory over an Ivy League opponent.
On the men's side, the Hoyas boasted their fifth-consecutive BIG EAST Tournament berth last season. In his time on the Hilltop, the men have had significant victories over Boston College, St. John's, George Washington, Navy and James Madison.
Since 2002, Ernst has been the executive director of Vineyard Youth Tennis in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where he coordinated all operational aspects of the newly-constructed four-court tennis facility for 400 junior tennis players ages 3-18. In 2004, Vineyard Youth Tennis was the recipient of the "United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Small Facility of the Year" award.
From 1998 to 2000, Ernst was the Head Men's Tennis Coach at the University of Pennsylvania where the team earned significant wins over Ivy League rivals Brown, Dartmouth and Yale. While in Philadelphia, Ernst coached the Quakers' No. 1 player, Fanda Stejskal, to the NCAA Tournament and helped the No. 2 player, Ryan Harwood, to "Regional Rookie of the Year" honors.
Ernst also instituted the "Friends of PENN Tennis", the program's fund-raising branch.
During the 1997-98 academic year, Ernst was the Assistant Men's Tennis Coach at Northwestern University, helping the Wildcats to a ranking as high as 13 ranking in the national poll. NU also made an appearance in the Big Ten Conference Championship, losing to Illinois in the Big Ten Finals.
Ernst is a 1990 graduate of Brown University, where he was a two-sport standout for the tennis and hockey teams. Despite being a 10th round draft pick of the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League, Ernst chose to stay on the hardcourt and spent almost four years as an ATP Tennis Professional, where he competed in over 15 states and six countries.
In 2000, Ernst was inducted into the Cranston, Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2003 he was inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame.
Ernst is married to Lisa, his wife of 12 years and the couple has two daughters, Olivia (8) and Phoebe (6).
Program
This year we are offering six weeks of day camp and half day camp for kids ages 6-17. We will also be offering a "10 and Under Tennis" program for those kids who are just learning the game (ages 6-10). Lunch is included for Full Day Campers.
Full Day (8:30am-3:00pm) Ages 8-17
Half Day (8:30am-11:30am) Ages 6-17
10 and Under Tennis (8:30am-11:30am) Ages 6-10
CHECK-IN:
• Monday – Friday check-in is between 8:30-9:00am for all campers at the McDonough Tennis Facility.
• Campers should arrive at 8:20am all other mornings.
• Campers should come dressed to play as we will head straight to the courts after check-in.
CHECK-OUT:
• Monday-Thursday daily check out is at 3:00 pm at Yates Field House (indoor rec facility)
• Friday check-out is at 12:00 noon for all campers at McDonough Gym.
10 and Under Tennis
This year we are also offering a "10 and Under Tennis" program for those kids ages 6-10 who are just learning the sport. This program provides a positive introduction to tennis fundamentals and low key match play situations for younger campers. 10 and Under Tennis is tennis sized right for kids. Designed around the same concepts as other youth sports such as soccer and baseball, 10 and Under Tennis is played with slower-moving/lower-bouncing balls and shorter, lighter racquets on smaller courts. Balls are low-compression so they are easier to hit, allowing kids to get to the ball and develop optimal swing patterns. Racquets are sized to smaller hands for better grip and control. Courts are smaller and easier to cover so that kids can focus on developing tactical and technical skills—with more success and less frustration. Full-sized courts can be reconfigured to accommodate up to six 36’ courts—so instead of waiting in line, kids can spend their time playing, learning and having fun.
Registration Packet
A detailed camper registration packet containing check in location, health/release forms, emergency contact info, and a list of things to bring will be emailed to all registered campers in the Spring. Our health and release forms do not require a doctor's signature and they will be collected on the first day of camp.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 8:30am-9:00am Drop-off and Warm-up
- 9:00am-11:30am Instruction and Drilling
- 11:45am-12:45pm Lunch
- 12:45pm-2:30pm Point Play
- 2:30pm-3:00pm Pool time or optional tennis
- Fridays Tournament Day
Parent of Camper
Beyond Expectations
My daughter had little tennis experience, and she loved the camp. She had complained in other camps that the tennis instruction wasn't very good or intense, but she loved the fact that the Georgetown Nike camp was run by people who really know the game, made her really work, and improved her game significantly.
Parent of Camper
Motivated Camper
Thank you! The camp was really wonderful. My son came back tired and happy and highly motivated for another academic year playing tennis. The coaching staff was fantastic with him. Now he's talking about doing well in school and with tennis so he can go to Georgetown one day. I only wish we could have afforded more than 2 weeks!
Parent of Camper
All Around Enjoyment
The camp was most enjoyable… my daughter loved it. She improved her tennis a lot and they had lots of games that also made it fun in the extreme heat. Great camp, great counselors.
Parent of camper!
Wish it was all summer long!
By far, the best camp experience my daughter has ever had. I will continue to sign her up (5 weeks) every summer, for the next 11 years! Gordie, Michael, Matthew and staff were fantastic, enthusiastic and improved my daughers game, but more importantly, made her feel special and elevated her love of the game. I wish this camp was offered all summer!!
Past Camper
Made so many friends!
It was so much fun!! Time just flew by!! I will definitely suggest it to friends and I will come again! I came to camp with a friend already, but I didn't really need to- I made a ton of new friends who love tennis! I am so into tennis now, i will practice as often as I can this year!
Parent of Camper
Leading By Example
It was great how the camp director Gordie was so involved and enthusiastic. He actually took time to give my son a mini private lesson and my son loved it. He set the tone for the whole camp and made it great!