How to Pick between Summer Camps for Swimmers

By Dr. G. John Mullen, Swimming World Contributor

What do your kids do when school is out? Are the summer days filled with gaming consoles and television, or do you get the kids outside? What about summer camps? Choosing the right summer camp for kids gets them moving, keeps them thinking, and promotes healthy brains and bodies. This summer, choose camp, not the couch.

5 Types of Summer Camps for Athletes

There are youth summer camps for athletes all around you. You just have to know what to look for and where to find them. Regardless of the sport your child plays, or the skill level he or she is at, there is a summer camp for their needs and sport. Don’t be afraid to branch out of their sport.

1. Strength Training Camp

Strength training camps are great for all kids, whether or not they are athletes. Yes, strength training is good for young athletes; no, it is not about “bulking up.” When done properly and supervised by a qualified professional, strength training for kids can improve a child’s performance, confidence, and long-term health. The benefits of strength training for kids are: improved recovery time, increased muscle tone and strength, strong bones and ligaments, lifelong skills for health and fitness.

Tips for choosing a strength training camp

When choosing a strength training camp for young athletes, keep these important tips in mind:

What are the instructor’s qualifications?

What type of experience does the instructor have working with young athletes?

How does the trainer treat the staff and other clients when you call or walk in? (Surprise visits are best)

What safety parameters are in place?

What do others have to say about the facility and/or trainers? Read online reviews and visit social media to find out.

2. Sport-Specific Camps

If your child is a swimmer, a runner, basketball player, or any other type of athlete, find a sport-specific camp that helps your child improve his/her skills and abilities. Sport-specific camps have drills, scrimmages, clinics, and much more, all of which are designed to help your child improve. Day camps and clinics are good for busy kids and parents, or you can choose to send your child to an away camp.

Tips for choosing a sports camp:

Do your research online about the camps available in your area.

Talk to other parents to find out which sports camps they recommend.

Don’t think you have to fork over loads of cash to get the best camp.

Ask about the instructor-to-child ratio. How much attention will your child receive at camp?

3. Service and Leadership Camps

You can find day or weekend camps that teach your young athlete the art of leadership. Sports are more than just physical activity; sports are about team—building, confidence, motivation, concentration, time management, and a healthy balance. Leadership camps can help athletes sharpen those skills. Athletes learn to work together, motivate each other, sharpen their study and academic skills, and to build character for success in their sport.

Tips for choosing a leadership camp:

Research the different types of leadership camps offered in your area; not all leadership camps are the same. Find a camp that best suits the young athlete’s goals and needs.

Seek the athlete’s input about attending the camp and what they hope to gain from it.

Find out if the camp is youth-driven and active. Your child will not want to sit in lectures for hours at a time.

4. Wilderness Camps

Think outside the box when choosing a camp for an athlete. Wilderness camps, which can be weekend camps or week-long adventures, are good for athletes for many reasons. Athletes can reduce stress, stay active outdoors, learn team-building skills, improve personal development, participate in relays, and participate in new adventures, such as rafting, canoeing, hiking, and zip-lining.

Tips for choosing a wilderness camp:

Wilderness camps are usually overnight or week-long camps. When choosing a wilderness camp, keep these in mind:

What are the reviews?

Where is the nearest medical facility?

What are the safety plans and protocols? Are there any cases or complaints filed against the camp?

Who is in charge, who are the counselors, and have any of them been accused of misconduct?

When will the family be contacted, and when can the family contact the camp to speak with the camper?

5. Off-Season Teams

If you want your young athlete to continue to play or compete when the season is over, find a traveling team or an off-season team. Athletes will stay in shape, improve their performance, and receive focused attention from the coaching staff. The teams compete in tournaments, play in scrimmages, and hold practices like it is a typical season. Athletes get to play and perform more, learn from new coaches, and play with new teammates. An athlete who participates in off-season or traveling teams is more likely going to improve compared to one who does not.

Tips for choosing an off-season of traveling team:

What is the cost?

What are the schedule demands? Do they work around or complement the parents’ schedules?

Are there tryouts for the team?

Do you have to pay extra for specialization?

What do the parents and athletes have to say about the program?

What qualifications do the coaches have?

Staying active during the summer is not about exhausting young athletes; it’s about keeping them active, healthy, and improving their mind. Athletes learn how to improve their performance and their sense of community and team when they leave the house and participate. Discover how COR youth camps have been improving athlete performance and character.

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