From lacrosse and football to softball and horse riding, there is a summer camp available for just about every age group. Summer camps can range from 1-3 day gatherings to overnight, sports-themed camps where children stay for a week or longer with the goal of honing their athletic abilities. Sending kids to sports camps during the long school holiday can provide the perfect amount of stimulation and help parents avoid those dreaded “I’m bored” moments that are sure to come a few weeks after school is out. However, it is crucial to send your children to camps that they are interested in, rather than using them purely as developmental tools to perfect their skills.
Choosing the Right Sports Camp for Your Child
Many of the camps offered to younger children are sports-oriented drill camps. For example, baseball and softball camps will focus on the fundamentals of catching, throwing, and hitting. There are also more specialized camps that focus specifically on pitching and catching. It’s important to check the skill level required for these camps before sending your child. If your child has never played the sport before, it won’t be enjoyable for them to spend several days with kids who are highly skilled. On the other hand, sending your child to a basic, beginner camp when they already have a good amount of talent could be boring for them and a waste of money.
Before you invest your hard-earned money into a camp, research the instructors. Is the camp run by parents volunteering to earn a few extra bucks, or is it being run by a seasoned professional? You might be surprised to learn how many sports camps offer access to some of the most renowned coaches in collegiate sports today. Yes, these camps may cost more, but they provide more value to your child in terms of potential learning. Another important factor is the camp’s enrollment size. An open-ended enrollment camp can turn into little more than a gym class. If too many kids are allowed on a playing field, your child won’t receive the individual attention and one-on-one skill-building that will help them excel in their sport. For instructional sports camps, there should be at least 5 instructors for every 20 students. This ratio ensures that safety procedures are being followed and every child gets the attention they need.
Sending your child to a sports camp for the summer is an excellent way to help them prepare for the middle or high school sports teams in the fall. The extra dedication and commitment will build their confidence and give them a competitive edge. If you choose a local sports camp, perhaps run by your town’s coaches, it can also help your child socialize with the people who will be selecting the teams. Team chemistry is important, and coaches can get a better sense of how well your child fits in with the group. Additionally, this gives coaches an opportunity to assess your child’s talents over a longer period, which can be beneficial for their future success.
For parents of younger children, sports camps might not hold their attention long enough. Kids under the age of 8 (and possibly even 10) are unlikely to want to play a particular sport all day, every day. However, a sports-based camp that offers friendly competition across many different activities can keep them active and engaged. Some camps focus more on fitness than competitive sports, which is a good alternative for children who may struggle with weight problems or just want to improve their overall health and well-being.
As your child grows older, it becomes evident that the playing field in sports is not always level. Recreation departments are competing with inclusive travel teams in various sports, and athletes must learn earlier than ever before. Believe it or not, there are children being scouted for collegiate football and softball teams before they even enter high school. It might sound crazy, but it’s true. This pressure is often fueled by overly competitive parents who push their children too hard. It’s crucial as a parent to ensure that your child is attending a sports camp because they want to, not because they feel forced. Nowadays, more children are burning out and quitting sports before they even reach their teen years due to too much pressure from their parents. If you are considering sending your child to a sports camp, make sure to talk to them first about their interests and goals.
As counterintuitive as it may seem, sometimes taking a break from your child’s favorite sport can actually improve their game and reignite their passion. Instead of assuming that your tennis-playing prodigy wants to attend a famous tennis camp, open the door to other sports that they might enjoy as well. A camp is a great way to introduce them to new activities, and it can be more engaging for your child because it offers something different. By allowing them to explore a variety of sports, they may come to appreciate what they already do, and perhaps even discover new areas of interest.
If your child is mature enough and has the desire to attend a sports camp, go for it! Children can learn valuable lessons about sportsmanship and technique by bonding with like-minded children and professional coaches outside of their normal circle. Choose wisely, and make sure your child is excited to participate, will have fun, and is eager to improve.
