Reconnecting Athletes: The Role of Camps in the Post-COVID Era

As athletes, we’re no strangers to overcoming obstacles – it’s in our nature. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic threw unexpected curveballs, we did what we do best: adapted, reassessed our goals and got creative in pursuing them. But throughout this journey, one thing became clear: we crave connection. 

That’s where sports camps come (back) into play. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the significant role of camps in helping athletes reconnect with college coaches and resume their recruiting journey after the pandemic. You’ll also hear from actual NCSA student-athletes who have found success through their camp experiences.   

How did COVID-19 disrupt college recruiting?

 
COVID-19 had a major impact on college recruiting and posed many challenges for student-athletes and college coaches: 

• Canceled events and seasons not only took away the chance for athletes to play the sport they love but also robbed them of important recruiting opportunities and exposure to college coaches. 

• Restricted in-person interactions made it tough for athletes to meet coaches, visit campuses and build relationships needed to make a successful and confident recruiting decision. 

• The shift to virtual recruiting had its pros and cons. On the positive side, it allowed more coaches and recruits to connect digitally, expanding their reach. But, when it comes to decision time, in-person connections and evaluations matter. So, it was difficult for coaches and student-athletes to feel as confident in their decisions. 

• The financial impact of the pandemic caused some colleges to reduce athletic budgets and scholarships, leaving athletes feeling stressed and worried about their future to play in college. 

Why camps matter in post-COVID recruiting

Camps are an essential part of your recruiting journey, helping you level up your skills and increasing your exposure to college coaches. But in a world still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, camps have taken on an even greater importance. Why? Because they bring back our chance to have face-to-face interactions – and that’s a game changer in recruiting!  

Sure, most recruiting happens digitally these days, but we can’t ignore the fact that when it’s decision-making time, in-person evaluations matter. Coaches want to get a real sense of who you are as a person and an athlete – beyond your online profile. That’s why embracing camps in the post-COVID era is so important. It’s a crucial step towards reaching your recruiting goals and getting back to a sense of normalcy that we’ve all been missing. 

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of camps in college recruiting: 

1. Establish relationships: Attending a college camp allows you to meet coaches face-to-face – establishing a connection beyond texting, DMs or email. This is a good thing because coaches want to see if you’d be a good fit for their program. Plus, it’s just as important for you to get to know the person you might be playing for the next four years, don’t you think? 

2. Level up your game: Camps are one of the best ways to improve your skills. This is your chance to learn from experienced coaches who will not only guide you but also give you valuable feedback to help you grow. With their support, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your goals and taking your game to the next level! 

3. Gain college recruiting exposure: Camps offer you a stage to perform in front of college coaches. It’s your opportunity to show coaches what you can do in a competitive environment and open doors to potential recruiting opportunities. You never know who might be watching in the stands and catching their eye at camp might just land you a spot on their list.  

4. Build your community: Attending a camp offers the chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the sport. You can make new friends, form meaningful relationships and compete against top talent. The camaraderie and support experienced at camps can push you to reach new heights and inspire personal growth. Who knows, the friendships you build might even lead to future teammates! 

5. Personal growth beyond the game: Camps offer more than just recruiting opportunities and connections. They provide you with the tools to develop essential character qualities like teamwork, mental resilience and sportsmanship. These experiences shape you not only as an athlete but also as an individual, preparing you for success both on and off the field. 

NCSA athletes share their camp success stories 

We’d like to introduce you to two NCSA student-athletes whose camp experiences made a significant impact on their success. See how camps played a pivotal role in their achievements. 

Abe Atiyeh was inspired to pursue his dreams of playing college basketball after having an incredible experience at basketball camp. Surrounded by talented coaches and trainers, he found the motivation to improve his game and establish valuable connections.

Chelsea Thorpe made the most of her recruiting opportunities by attending camps where college coaches could evaluate her skills and potential team fit. By competing against top-level talent, she was able to impress coaches with her performance and secured a future roster spot on a D1 volleyball team.

Looking ahead: The future of camps

As we continue to navigate the lasting impact of COVID-19, camps offer student-athletes new and exciting possibilities on their recruiting journey. Putting health first, safety protocols will keep our athletes protected while providing a safe and supportive environment for learning and growth. 

And while they’ve always helped student-athletes enhance their skills and gain recruiting exposure, camps now offer something even more significant – an opportunity to reconnect. As we move forward from the challenges of the pandemic, let’s embrace the return of camps and recognize how they can help us grow, improve our skills and rebuild meaningful connections in the world of sports.