The Ultimate Summer Camp Sports Checklist
Summer is an exciting time with warm weather and camp season kicking off! But with all that excitement comes the stress of finding the right camp. We’ve created the ultimate sports camp checklist for athletes and their families that walks you through the camp selection process, from top to bottom, including 7 things you must do when thinking about attending a summer camp.
Download your summer camps checklist.
Types of summer sports camps
Sports camps typically offer one of three different focuses. Whether your athlete is just discovering what sports they love or they are looking to highly specialize in a specific sport, there’s a summer camp for everyone.
- Social: These sports camps allow athletes to experience a variety of sports and other physical activities. These camps allow athletes to socialize, stay active, and try new experiences in a positive environment.
- One sport: These camps focus on a single sport but are inclusive of all ability levels. They are commonly hosted by college programs and high schools during the summer months.
- Specialized, invite-only: These camps require athletes to reach a certain level of ability and are typically best suited for athletes further along in the recruiting process (mainly juniors and seniors). The main goal of these camps is to allow athletes the chance to showcase their skills and talent in front of scouts and college coaches.
Once you’ve identified your athlete’s camp goals and skill level, you can check this off your list and move onto the camp selection process!
3 factors to consider when selecting a camp
When it comes time to browse summer camps online, you’ll want to answer these three questions as you review your options.
Who’s hosting? Whether it’s a college camp run by the coaching staff or a camp run by a sports organization, research the camp to determine if it has a trustworthy reputation for positive and effective training. It’s also important for athletes to attend camps hosted by colleges on their target list of schools. This gives athletes the opportunity to gain important exposure and begin building a relationship with those college programs.
What are the camp’s objectives? Is the camp focused on a specific skill, position or primarily gameplay? Depending on what your athlete is looking to gain from the camp, it’s important to read through the camp objectives to ensure they will help your athlete reach their potential.
Are there fees and requirements? Camps vary in price and budget is an important factor in the selection process. Establish a budget and use that as a guide for what camps and how many to attend this summer. Keep an eye out for additional fees and requirements that aren’t included in the initial camp price.
Where to find a list of 2023 summer camps?
Our team has compiled a comprehensive list of summer sports camps, so you can create your camp itinerary with ease! Find college sports camps, combines, tournaments and showcases that will help you sharpen your skills and gain exposure to college coaches here.
What to do after selecting a camp?
Registered for a summer camp? Congrats! Now it’s time to let those college coaches know, especially if the college programs is hosting the camp. Send an email to the coaching staff outlining your summer camp plans. This demonstrates that you are committed to developing your skillset and it allows them to keep their eye out for you during the camp.
For tips on emailing college coaches, check out our comprehensive guide on emailing coaches.
Your sports camp packing list
Packing for a day at camp can be stressful. We’ve provided a list of must-pack items, so athletes arrive prepared and ready to train.
Parents – don’t forget to send your kids with their medical history, medications and emergency contacts. While the camp will likely ask for these items ahead of time, it’s important that your athlete also have this information on them in case of an emergency.
Not sure what to pack for an overnight camp? Check out IMG Academy’s ultimate packing list.
What to do post-camp?
Once you’re home from camp, the first thing you should do is send a quick email to the coaching staff thanking them for the experiences and highlighting one or two things you learned from the program. This is a great excuse to connect with a coach again and stay on their radar, while also letting them know found value in the experience.
