Is your child outdoorsy by nature and a sports fanatic too? Then packing him off to any ordinary camp just won’t do. To ensure that your kids learn and draw maximum fun out of their great camp experience, it’s important that you choose your child’s sports camp with care. Considering the dizzying array of sports camp programs out there, finding that one right sports camp that suits your child’s need and talents can be difficult.
Experts at Camp Navigator believes that a camp experience is a child’s first brush with a tournament. Many sports camp introduce kids to competitive athletics and gives campers a taste of an athlete’s life. Also, the fact that these specialized camps have caches from universities and colleges makes the deal all the more lucrative.
However, one must remember that it is after all a camp. It must impart more than just physical skills to the kids. The athletic programs must be tuned to impart important life skills, including self-discipline, self-motivation, teamwork, and proper manners to the kids.
When it comes to choosing a sports camp for your children, some of the questions you might want to consider are:
What is the staff to camper ratio?
Does it allow for the kind of individualized instruction and supervision your child needs or wants?
What are the program philosophies?
Does the program’s attitude toward competition, sportsmanship, and teamwork match yours and your child’s?
How experienced are the instructors, coaches, and counselors?
Do safety regulations and medical facilities meet your standards?
Are the facilities (ball fields, cafeterias, dormitories) well maintained?
Are the programs fun? How will these programs motivate campers to strengthen their skills and
improve their performance?
How to choose?
Ask Your Child!
Before you sign up for a sports camp, ask your child what his/her favorite sport is and then decide. Today, there are camps for every sport, from soccer to lacrosse and from running to tennis. Some camps also include outdoor adventure sports like hiking and karate. Again there are camps that offer an assortment of various sports. Talk to your child and understand his needs and demands before choosing a sports camp.
Skill/Play Camps
Ensure you find out the day to day schedule of the campers before you send your kid to one. Some camps are more skill based while others can be a little more intense for someone who is just looking to have sporty fun. Call the camp and inquire about their goal. Only if their aim and ideologies fall in sync with yours, go ahead.
Visit the Camp
Tour the camp a summer ahead of enrolling your child. If your kids likes it, you can sign them up for the next session. Most camps are happy to give you a tour and sign your child up for the upcoming sessions.
Camp Counselors/Coaches
Check who is the boss of the camp. Are there skilled coaches who know the sports well? Find out how what is the kid to coach/camp counselor ratio to find out how much personal care and attention your child will get in the camp.
