During the months leading up to Summer, I am frequently asked about which camps would be the most beneficial for students? The majority of the athletes we work with, aspire to play sports at the College level, so deciding on the right camp is critical. My answer changes depending on what sport at hand, and the level which they are qualified to play.
We often suggest that our athletes attend the camps for schools which have shown interest in them. The reasoning here is simple. The school has already shown interest in you, and you want to further build that relationship. If there is a school showing interest, and you do not wish to attend under any circumstances, you need to let them know that.
If schools have yet to show interest, get into camps at schools you know you have a chance to play at, and would love to attend. By doing this, you can give yourself a better chance of getting looked at as opposed to just participating in random camps, and hoping for the best. One thing I love about camps at colleges and universities, is that the coaches tend to be pretty solid, and it gives you a sense of the campus.
Now, there are plenty of camps which are outside of the college arena. Many are good, but you need to do your research. If your goal is getting recruited, talk to kids that have been to that camp before. What was their experience like, and would they recommend it to you? Are the coaches that run it any good? Just because someone has played in college, or at the professional level, does not immediately equate to a great coach. Again, look for reviews from trusted family members and/or friends.
Many athletes are not yet at the High School level, and would just like have fun, and improve at the same time. For this group, I recommend finding a camp where their kids can have a great time and make friends as well. Things get pretty serious once you start the recruiting route–so just giving your kids the time to simply enjoy sports without added pressure, is great. If they enjoy it, they will push themselves to improve. That is the hardest thing to create–inner drive. It must come from within, and added pressure is shown not to work as well as letting kids develop it on their own. A summer camp where fun and development are priorities, is what I would recommend for kids 13 and younger.
Remember, it is Summer time. This time is all about having fun, and decompressing from the school year. If they really enjoy their sport, then going to camps will be great for them. If they do not, just find something they do enjoy. It will be more beneficial in the long run.
Sincerely,
Donny Mateaki
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