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What Makes a Great Sports Camp? Three Things to Look For
Sports camps are an excellent way to keep young athletes motivated and engaged over the summer. They bring structure to long summer days and provide an opportunity for athletes to make new friends. They help young people build independence and deepen their skills in their sport of choice.
But! Not all sports camps are created equal. How do you choose the right one?
With fifty years of camp experience across more than two dozen sports, we’ve seen firsthand the factors that separate a great camp from one that’s just okay.
As you’re deciding which sports camp is best for your young athlete, here are a few things to look for.
(And when you’re ready to browse for options, you can explore our sports camps near you!)
1. An emphasis on FUN
Skill-building is important. Sports camps offer a structured environment and lots of opportunities for training and targeted practice. With good coaching, it’s very likely your child will seriously level up in their sport.
But camp is about more than just acquiring skills. It’s also about making new friends, gaining confidence, and creating lasting memories. And for all this to happen? Camp needs to be fun!
There’s a reason we use the word “playing” when we talk about sports. Yes, sports are hard work. But there should also be a lot of play involved whenever your child is on the field or court. This sense of play will help them feel more comfortable trying new things and foster their friendships with their fellow campers. It will also help them develop a love of staying active that will last them well into adulthood.
2. Expert coaches
Coaches are one of the most important factors in taking a sports camp from good to great. In fact, the quality of coaches can make or break a camp experience for your child. So, how do you evaluate them when you’re choosing a camp?
Research the head coaches, since they’ll guide the approach of the whole staff. Make sure they have deep expertise in the sport. This might include Division I coaching experience, a background on professional teams, and/or proven success in similar camp settings. A long track record at the same camp is usually a great sign, too!
Top-tier coaches do more than just teach technical skills. They’ll help build your young athlete’s self-esteem and influence their long-term development on and off the field. So it’s definitely worth the time to look into their experience, philosophy, and approach.
3. A safe, well-run camp
When you’re deciding which camp is best for your child, don’t forget to look into the basics! Camp should be a safe, supportive, well-run environment. That way, your child can focus on having a blast and learning new skills in their sport.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, read over the policies to make sure the camp is taking safety and security into account. Look at testimonials from previous campers to get a broader sense of how the camp is run. What do they share about their experience?
When you’re doing your research, be sure to look for any comments about customer service. If you call the camp, will you be able to speak to a real person? Details like this are important, particularly for parents sending their child to an overnight sports camp.
If possible, it’s helpful to chat with other families in your area who have sent their child to the same camp. Is there anything they’d change or improve? This should help you get a sense of any “bumps” in the camp experience that could get in the way of your child having an awesome time.
Choosing a camp
Keeping these three factors in mind will help you find the sports camp that’s just right for your child. And set them up for a memorable and fun camp experience!
Ready to take a look at what’s available? Check out sports camps near you!