How to choose a good sport summer camp

Summer is around the corner and it is already time to choose a summer camp for your kids for this year.

Your child loves to practice a sport? Why not send him or her to a specialized camp in this sport? If it is for serious training and improvement, for initiation, or just for fun, you will certainly be able to fill your needs. But there are some important things to look for before choosing a camp and that is what I will try to explain to you.

The first question to ask yourself, and your kid, is what I just mentionned: is it for serious training and improvement, for initiation, or just for fun? This will determine what kind of summer camp you will look for because sending a kid that is just starting a new sport into an improvement camp is the best way to discourage him. The opposite is also bad since the young athlete will have the feeling of waisting his time. And at the price of these camps, you do not want to waist your money either. For example, I am sending my 2 gymnasts daughters in a camp, here in Quebec, that is called Gymrep. You can have there the best coaches in Quebec but also coaches from France, Russia and even trainers from Le Cirque du Soleil. And gymnasts are coming not only from Quebec and France but also the rest of Canada and United States as they can also profit from a great french immersion. Two camps for the price of one;-) You have to reserve a year in advance tough. And this is the case for most of the best camps which is kind of complicated because how can you be sure that your child will still want to do the sport in a year?

How do you choose the perfect camp for your child? Of course, best indication is to know people who have been there. Ask around. It is not a guarantee because every child is different but if you have a number of persons who liked it, chances are that your kid will love it too. And the opposite is also true. Make a good analysis of opinions as they might apply to your kid. For example, some kids don't like to be away from home for a long time, even for 1 night. So if you hear that one of them had a great week and didn't miss his parent one bit, this is a very good indication that the instructors are very good and the camp is fun.

If you are looking for an improvement camp, you need to check the quality of the coaching staff. Some big names are offering their expertise in different camps. Of course, the biggest the name, the biggest the bill. You have to think about that. But do you really need big names? Check with your club and federation, they can inform you about the quality of the coaching staff. At the same time, ask them if
the camp is approved in terms of security, quality of coaches, and quality of the program.

Look at how they are forming the groups or teams: by age? by habilities? both? It depends on what is the purpose of the camp. If it is for fun and/or initiation, they usually form age groups. If it is for improvement, they should also group by habilities. If they don't, it is a red flag.

It's also very important to check for the other activities offered outside of training. They won't be training 24 hours a day. Who will take care of them outside of training? Coaches are not instructors. Coaches won't sing 'Koumbaya' around the fire, if you see what I mean ;-) So ask if there is a team of instructors that is taking over the kids outside of training.

Look for the meals, the bedrooms. How many kids by room? Is there a couvre-feu? Is there someone watching or doing a patrol during the night? How do they handle problems? What happens when a child misses his parents so much that he wants to go back home? I know some camps (maybe most of the camps) forbid phone calls except for emergencies. The reason is quite simple. Imagine a young girl that just spent her
first day at the camp. Everything is fine, she met new friends, having fun, etc... Then, just before bed, her mom calls, just to check. And there it goes! Mom says "I hope you are having fun my baby. Mummy misses you so much" That's it! The killing phrase. There you go with the little girl starting to cry "I miss you too, mom". And she goes to her room, talks to her roomate and... bingo! The whole room is crying!
Best way not to miss mom and dad is not to talk to them. Now, on your side, as a parent, can you live with this restriction?

When we are talking sport we have to talk injuries. How do the camp handles injuries? Do they have medical staff on site? Do they have a quick transportation way to the nearest hospital? And how do they handle small injuries? Can they do taping? Do you have to provide your own tape? It seems trivial but you certainly don't want your kid missing the whole week for a twisted ankle that only needs a good taping.

And talking about injuries, what if your kid get injured before the camp? Do they have a refund policy?

It seems like a lot of things to check but after all you are giving them the most previous thing that you have, it is certainly worth some investigations. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Good camps won't be shy to answer you and if they don't answer: red flag.

For more informations on summer camp, you can also look at this site:
Summer camps

You can also find great books about summer camps here:
Summer camp books


Mario Campeau