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June 15th, 2009 - byFirst of all, I strongly recommend that all high school level athletes consider a camp, which can be very beneficial as long as you are aware of a few key points which I will discuss below. Most importantly though, I suggest you do thorough research when deciding whether or not you want to attend a camp. Decide what your desired results are from each opportunity and evaluate whether or not that option will satifsy your goals!
The Purpose:
An obvious purpose of camps is to help you get better, but an unfortunate bottom line is that most camps have one purpose; they are a money-maker for the organizers. Coaches and clubs bring in a lot of income through this method. Although we would like to think everyone has good intentions, it’s often not the case. Beware of overpriced camps, because they do not necessarily indicate the best training or coaching. Aside from being a money maker, another use is to evaluate prospective student-athletes. Many coaches use camps as an opportunity to evaluate your abilities in person. Some coaches even require top recruits to come to a camp so the coaches have a chance to work with them and see how the athlete takes to their technique and coaching style.
There are essentially two ways you may receive camp information. One, you are someone the coach is recruiting or interested in recruiting. Many times a coach will respond to receiving your scouting report with a camp brochure. Two, and much more likely, you are in some type of database or list and the coach has absolutely no idea who you are or your talent level.
So how do you choose the right camp? Based on the information above, you will either attend a camp to get better OR to be evaluated by a coaching staff.
If you are attending for training:
- Do some research on the coaching staff. How much experience do they have? How successful have these coaches been? Do they have a reputation for producing great volleyball players? Who is actually going to be coaching at the camp? Often times you will find college camps, but the head/asst coaches are not doing any of the training for it.
- Consider how they actually run the camp. Are you with girls/guys your age and ability level? Do they run the camp at a fast pace? Are you getting personal attention?
- You may want to talk to someone who has attended the camp before signing up.
If you are attending the camp/combine/showcase for exposure:
- Choose to go to camp at a school where the coach is recruiting you.
- Find out where you are on the recruiting list, how interested are they in you before you attend the camp. Be sure that you KNOW this coach is interested before investing your time and money to go. Most college coaches attending the camp already have a list of student-athletes they are looking at – if you are not on that list it is not likely they will be looking at you
- Be sure the school is a realistic fit.
- You are not likely the only recruit they are inviting to the camp.
- A common misconception is that you will be “discovered” at a camp. Coaches do NOT scout at camps. If college coaches are running the camp, they do not have the time or interest in discovering NEW talent. If the coach doesn’t know about you beforehand, they will not know about you on your way out!
- Depending on the sport, you should go to a DI camp summer after your sophomore year. Some DI schools already have their commitments by summer of junior year. DII you should go summer after junior year.
- As a sophomore it’s ok to open things up a bit, roll the dice, and go to a DI camp. As a junior/senior you should be more selective and try to go to schools who are recruiting you.
- Be sure to ask the coach whether the camp you are attending is an “Elite” level camp and not for just anyone. Is it invite only?
- For showcases, find out what college coaches will be there. Understand not all of the listed coaches will actually show up. I highly recommend that you research the college each coach is from, contact them, and let them know that you will be attending
Pros and Cons of College Camps, Combines, and Showcases:
Pros
- You are able to see what type of competition is out there. You will see the level of competition you are going up against.
- High level training is an obvious benefit to a college run camp. There are not many other opportunities for a high school athlete to work with a college level coach.
- You will learn new techniques and get some needed repetition.
- The college coach will help you see your skills from a different perspective – in addition to your high school or club coach.
- Camps keep you in shape during the off-season.
- If a coach is unable to come see you in person, this is a great way to get evaluated.
- Camp is a chance to get a feel for campus life such as staying in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria. You are able to tour around the campus.
- Combines and showcases are a way to get legitimate measurable numbers to aid you in the recruiting process.
Cons
- They can be expensive – this time and money may be better used to visit college campuses and meet with college coaches face to face, one on one
- Many times these showcases are very large and you do not receive very much time in the “spotlight”.
- If you stand out, that is great, but if you are not going to stand out you could just be crossed off of college coach’s recruiting list
- Showcases often draw attention from only local colleges and JC’s. If you are looking for big time exposure you probably will not get it.
- Pro-rated camps are not allowed. Coach may not waive your fees.
As you can tell, recruits face many options and decisions when planning their summer. The single most critical piece of advice I can give is to put in recruiting work before attending a camp. If you really want to maximize your camp and combine experience, make sure your name is on their list prior to your attendance and you have taken all five steps to be recruited.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
How do you find the DI and DII football camps to attend? My son, Jose Charles, just finished his sophmore year.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Will Lemons
Every college and university athletic site will list the camps being offered and contact information. As a soph, start with schools closer to home and split your time between safety schools (within reach both athletically and academically); target schools (where he thinks he wants to go); and maybe a reach schools (may be out of reach for now either academically, athletically or both). Do not overload. It gets very expensive very quickly. I would say limit to 4 or 5 at the most.
There are some schools who will “pro-rate” camps if you cannot attend the entire time, especially if they are recruiting you. Some overnight camps can run $400 or $500, not to mention hotels, food, etc. for parents/siblings.
Some tips. Go for a day or two for $150. If you are getting a hotel already, don’t pay for room and board if seperate charge.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am
It seems like the easiest way I have found camps is to go to college athletics’ websites and search under camps/ and or clinics and find one that fits. Someone help me and Will if there is an easier way…
June 16th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Looks like I needed to refresh before I comment…
June 16th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Will – Before spending any money on a camp, you should answer this question: Why are you going to the camp?
If you’re going so your son can be recruited, don’t waste your money or time. First, Jose must have had a phone conversation with college coaches who will be at that camp. He should make sure he’s on their recruiting board. If he hasn’t received any camp brochures from that college, he isn’t on their recruiting board.
If you’re reason to attend camp is to improve your son’s skills, then go to one or two good camps. Don’t go to 4 or 5, that money is better spent in other recruiting activities.
If you want to know how to get on college recruiting boards, go here: http://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/fasttrack/lead/preSAEFEntryV1.jsp?lnkSrc=SAEF-Blog
June 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I have read all about the recruiting process for a high school baseball players but I have not been able to find much on how a college freshman or sophomore should go about being recruited by another college.
My son is an excellent baseball player highly recognized locally throughout his high school years. Being a lefty pitcher, excellent outfielder and first baseman along with being a very strong hitter we always felt that he would be a strong candidate for college scholarship monies to attend college. Unfortunately in his Junior year he tore his thumb Ulner Collateral Ligament (UCL) on his glove hand as he was fielding a fly ball (right field) and collided with the center fielder. He required surgery to re-attach and a recuperation of about three months, which resulted in the loss of the most important time in his baseball career (Junior year) and was unable to showcase or be viewed by recruiters for the remaining high school season and summer months.
By the time that his senior year came along no one was really interested in seeing him since most if not all college coaches and recruiters had already signed up their prospects and scholarship players. This resulted in him attending a very strong division three college. He tried out and was put on their varsity team. Unfortunately there was no scholarship monies associated with this. He is very much interested in pursuing other colleges that offer scholarship monies but does not know how to go about it. He is scheduled to attend his sophomore year this fall. There is not much guidance or information available to someone in this circumstance. Does anyone have any suggestions?
June 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I am looking for a good track and field camp in the Midwest. If you know of any e-mail me at gozfather09@yahoo.com
June 16th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi, I am very interested in track and field anywhere that’s a great school!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
HI, I am looking for a great ice hockey camp for men at a great school.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
My son is a soph to be football player who got varsity time as a freshman and will be a varsity starter this season. I’m thinking of having him attend a one day camp to see what it’s like. Any thoughts?
June 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Drew:
What are you looking to get out of the camp? That’ll tell you what you should do. (See my answer (5) to Will above.)
June 16th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
How do you find out what coaches are coming to watch at a showcase? Do they have to register with the showcase before showing up and will the showcase share that with a participant. My son is attending a FBU camp. Do they have college coaches there and will they share who they are?
June 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Scott – No current college coaches attend FBU. They are prohibited from doing so by the NCAA.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Keith,
At this point I want him to get instruction and also to see the “competition” and to begin to understand the talent level out there and the hard work he will have to put in the next 3 years. I think it’s hard sometimes to get a 15 year old to see the big picture.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Michael – All college recruiting has common elements whether a person starts as a freshman in HS or a freshman in college. You should reference the 5 things you need to do on this site. That’s the gameplan. As for D3 schools not offering scholarships. Technically, you’re absolutely correct in terms of athletic scholarships. No NCAA D3 college offers athletic scholarships. However, they do offer significant financial aid packages should your child qualify. These are based on academics, grants, etc. I know plenty of D3 student-athletes who received substantial financial aid packages to attend their colleges.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Drew – By all means. Go to any one that is relatively local. But that’s an excellent idea!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
i dont kno what camp 2 go 2
June 16th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
This is probably the wrong place to post this, but I am a rising freshman looking to play college lax. I am attending one college camp this summer at the college I am most interested in, and in a conversation with a coach at school they said i should write the head coach. is it too early or would it be very beneficial? i don’t want to write too early and embarrass myself at camp for some reason…
June 16th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Mackenzie – No one has ever begun this process too early. You won’t ‘embarrass’ yourself.
June 20th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Iam a basketball player and I would like to know wat kind of basketball camps are availiable
June 20th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
The best basketball camp is the Five-Star camp. See their website hear: http://www.5starbball.com/
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:44 am
Everybody make sure you read this article carefully because it is true these camps are money makers for the coaches. We have been to several and they were mostly personal invites, If the coach does not know you, they will put you in a group with the rest of the no named people, trust me I know. We attended 2 camps that my nephew wanted to attend and they were not amongt his personal invites and that is the way he was treated, So like the article says if they are not recruiting you, No matter how hard you workout the focus will not be on you. I know a lot of kids think you will wow them and make them know them once they get there but this is not how it works.I would try to get the highlight tape out to the coach and perhaps conversate and get his mind on you. If you want to go to camp for competition only attend one day camps because it is a waste of money for 3 day camps. I wish everyone luck and hope that this helps, I have been apart of this process for two years and my nephew is now a senior but to be honest his offers from school did not come from his performance at camp they came from his performance on the field because he recieved his offers before he attended summer camps. Good luck everybody and go get em.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
Football Aunt – GREAT ADVICE! Thanks for taking the time to write.