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How to Choose the Right Level Camp for Your Athlete: Beginner through Advanced
One of the most common questions we get is: How do I choose the right camp for my child? Whether your camper is a beginner in their sport or has been competing for years, you want to make sure you find the right fit: a camp where they’ll be pushed to grow, learn lots of new skills—AND have a blast along the way.
Here, we answer some of the most common questions about levels at our sports camps and how to ensure your camper has a positive, challenging, and fun experience.
>> For more about how to pick the right camp for your child, check out our posts on what makes a great sports camp and choosing between a day camp and overnight camp.
What is an all-skills sports camp, and who is it for?
An all-skills camp is for young athletes at every level, from beginner through advanced. At camp kickoff, coaches group athletes by age and skill level so they receive instruction that’s appropriately challenging: never too easy or discouragingly hard.
The goal of every camp is for athletes to gain new skills, boost confidence, and develop a deeper love of their sport. We make sure this happens by accurately grouping campers, keeping our coach-to-camper ratio low, and working with coaches who are experts at meeting each athlete where they are. So whether your child is brand new to their sport or has been starting on the varsity squad for years, they’ll get a TON out of their all-skills camp experience.
How are athletes grouped at camp?
At the start of camp, the coaching staff evaluates campers and places them into instructional groups based on their skill and age. If needed, staff make adjustments throughout the week to ensure campers are in the right grouping, where they’re both comfortable and challenged.
We keep it light during the selection process. Rather than a stressful, high-stakes “tryout,” this is simply a chance to gauge campers’ levels to ensure they have a positive experience and walk away with as much improvement as possible.
Research in youth sport shows that ability grouping can improve performance, keep both newer and more advanced athletes engaged, and lead to faster skill development. We’ve seen firsthand how age- and skill-appropriate groups bolster confidence and help all campers feel comfortable trying new things!
Is a sports camp appropriate for true beginner athletes?
Absolutely—all-skills camps are just that: great for athletes at every level, including complete beginners. Even when a camp includes advanced athletes, beginners are never “thrown in” with older or more experienced players. Instead, they train in their own group with coaching tailored to their starting point.
We’ve found that camp can actually be a great setting for “test-running” a new sport. It’s less of a commitment than signing up for a whole season, and the targeted practice means that novice athletes often experience rapid growth.
Don’t be surprised if your camper comes home excited to share everything they’ve learned—and potentially ready to sign up for more!
What's the difference between an all-skills camp and an elite/advanced sports camp?
The majority of our camps are all-skills. Whether your child is a total beginner who's never held a racket, a casual recreational player, or an experienced competitor looking to sharpen their tactics, an all-skills camp will offer skill-based instruction for your level, with lots of opportunities for growth.
However, we also offer a selection of camps for elite/advanced athletes. These programs are for experienced players who want to push their game further with deeper tactical training, higher-intensity workouts, and coaching focused on competitive performance.
Elite and advanced camps typically have specific skill or experience requirements, so they’re better suited to athletes who already compete on club, travel, or high school varsity teams. Beginners and casual players will usually make more progress—and have more fun—in an all-skills camp where the pace and instruction match their current level.
How do I know if my child is ready for an advanced/elite sports camp?
Our advanced/elite-level camps feature more intensive training, tactical play, and preparation for high-level competition where they can put new skills into action. They’re typically aimed at older campers.
Your child may be ready for an advanced or elite camp if they: consistently play on a competitive club, travel, or varsity team, have a solid grasp of fundamentals, and are comfortable in fast-paced drills and competitive scrimmages.
Another great signal your young athlete is ready for an advanced or elite camp: they’re asking about it!
Often, the richest growth happens when it’s the camper themselves seeking out a more challenging environment. If your athlete has expressed interest in ways to boost their development, it could be a great moment to browse advanced/elite camps in your area. You can start by filtering for your city or zip code and an older age range.
What is a College ID camp?
Our College ID offerings are for high school athletes seeking college recruitment opportunities. Attending one puts your child in front of NCAA coaches looking to build out their rosters and, sometimes, offer college scholarships. Athletes will also receive training directly from college coaches, giving them a firsthand look into different coaches’ styles and approaches.
These camps often feature a session for parents looking to learn more about the NCAA recruiting process and rules, along with a session for athletes covering recruiting rules and basics about the college admissions process. You’ll get a list of attending coaches in advance.
If your young athlete has serious aspirations to play college sports, a College ID camp can be a great opportunity to meet coaches and experience their sport in a new way alongside other college-bound athletes.
The Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Camp
For most young athletes, an all-skills camp is the best starting point. These camps offer the right mix of fun, fundamentals, and challenge, with groups tailored to age and ability.
For older campers who have been playing competitively for several seasons and want a higher-intensity environment, an advanced or elite camp can be a great next step to focus on specific tactics and highly competitive gameplay. Finally, college ID camps are ideal for high school athletes who are actively exploring college opportunities and would like an opportunity to train with (and catch the eye of) NCAA coaches.
Ready to find the perfect camp for your young athlete? Browse camps near you today!