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Which SPORTS CAMP is the Right One for Your Child?
By Jon Buzby

When I was a kid, there were very few youth sports camps. They were usually local and held at the high school or recreation department complex and coached by their staffs. It was more or less just a good excuse for mom to get us out of the house. Very rarely did anyone leave town to go to one.

Today, you can drive for hours or even fly to youth sports camps and be trained by the most qualified coaches in the country (at least you tell yourself that when you write the check). Entire teams can go together. They are often held on college campuses or other attractive sports venues. These camps give you uniforms, equipment and other amenities more suitable to a professional team. You are at camp 24 hours a day and get three complete meals, snacks, pool time, video analysis of your games and a true dormitory experience (no air conditioning, plastic covered mattresses and cold showers). Oh, and don’t forget, a price tag that will make you think your child is really going to college, not just going to camp on a college campus.

Does your child really need to attend a youth sports camp at a price equal to your monthly car payment (if you drive a really nice car that is)?

Kids should get three things out of a summer sports camp. They should learn something, be active and most importantly, have fun. For the majority of young children (elementary and middle school-aged), the local camps directed by the high school coaching staff or neighbors fulfill all three requirements. The kids will be well coached, play against good competition and most importantly, be active and have fun.

They won’t come home with a fancy uniform (but you’ll be able to use the tee shirt to wash the car long after they outgrow it) or a new ball (to add to the pile already in your garage) but at the end of the week they’ll have priceless memories with their friends, a little more knowledge about the game and be tired from a weeklong workout—all without the hefty price tag.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the more expensive camps. I attended one as a kid and have sent my son to one as well. But I’m all for the local ones, too. In fact, of all the sports camps I went to as a kid, the one with the best memories for me was the one at the local high school. All my friends were there, it was small enough so we all got a lot of game time, and I learned a great deal. Plus I thought it was really neat to meet the high school players I had seen play the season before.

There could be an argument made that a player is better off going away to be coached by college coaches and players—the same ones he most likely will never see again. I make the argument that it can be just as important to be coached by the local high school coach—the same one your son or daughter might be trying out for in the future.

Choosing the right camp involves weighing a lot of issues to ensure the perfect fit for your child. Just don’t assume because the price is higher, the quality will be, too. And remember the most important part of camp: having FUN—it’s priceless at any age.

Jon Buzby is a freelance writer.